If you like this post, you can read the rest of my Distractions!
I like myself on the following conditions: That I’m better than the next guy at everything I’m into. And my looks are important if I’m less sophisticated. And my girlfriend’s a bombshell and I’m all she’s ever dated. And money’s an object if it pays for my ego. Power’s the drug, and pride is the needle.
From the song “Friday Night” by House of Heroes
How many conversations have you had in the last week where you spent the entire conversation trying to come up with something more clever or exciting or funnier than the other person? If you can count them, then you’re already better at me than at least one thing.
When we think about prideful accomplishments, we are usually referencing things that would accommodate the world’s desires for us, that we would become rich, brilliant, powerful and sexy, but it doesn’t stop there.
As Christians, we are just as tempted to be the best at spiritual things. We think we have to have the best speaking and teaching abilities, the best missionary stories, the best ties to that non-profit that saves the starving children in Africa. These are all wonderful things that we should be doing, but with what heart are we doing them?
I’m not sure there was anything the apostle Paul didn’t weigh in on, so let’s read what he had to say about this mindset:
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed [the poor], and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
- 1st Corinthians 13: 1-3 (NKJV)
If we want to excel at something, how about we make it love? The last time that truly loving someone distracted me from God was never, because it is only through my relationship with Jesus Christ that I can really show someone love.
