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“Pride comes before the fall.” But what if it came with a parade and neon signs that marked, “Hi Pride Rolling Through! Get Out the Way”, would we be so quick to fall? The tricky thing about pride is that it is hard to detect and yet even when we detect and address it, like a weed, it can grow back inside you.

As I read the following passage of scripture two things stood out to me. The first was the warning that came prior to the king’s fall and the second was how long it took for his pride to really truly peak into undeniable ridiculousness.

Daniel 4:24-27 (NIV) 24 "This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king: 25 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes. 26 The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules. 27 Therefore, O king, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue."
28 All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 he said, "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?"
31The words were still on his lips when a voice came from heaven, "This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. 32You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes."
33Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like cattle. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird. 34At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.

I read the above passage and my immediate thought and feeling was one of relief. I feel like I just got a little beat up by God recently and humbled so I’ve learned my lesson and I don’t think this really applies to me. Initially, I felt pretty good seeing this scripture as I am in a place right know where I very much do acknowledge God as well as give him credit.

Then I read the passage again, and one more time after that. It was then that I saw what I had missed the first time. I may be heeding the warning right now but that does not mean that I will not fall again. I may see my pride clearly before me and see God’s rightful place in my life but it took 12 months for the King to get to a point where he was in his sin so deep that he had left God no other option but to smack him upside his head.

I realized then how sobering this passage really was and how easily I too can slip right back into my own plan and my own way. I may still feel vulnerable enough at my job at the moment to cling to God but what will my attitude be 12 months from know when I have a better grip on my position or when I move up in my position? I need to recognize now before the time comes that my tendency is to claim that glory for myself. I need to recognize it now so that when I get to a place where it is really easy for me to deceive myself into thinking that I had anything to do with my success that I can smack myself sober before God smacks sense into me. Practically, I believe that when I have this right perspective I am just a better and nicer person to be around, I treat others around me better and I am able to accomplish so much more.

Since I know my pride can lead me into taking credit for what God has done I must constantly keep watch because time can be my best friend as it lavishes me with the gift of grace in the form of many second chances or it can be my worst enemy as it distances me from God’s warnings to me. However, perspective can be a constant through time if I fight for it daily. Perspective can keep me humble and grateful for what I have and who I am in the moment because of whom God has allowed me to be. Nebuchadnezzar forgot the interpretation and the warning over time. I hope that I can look back at this column 12 months from now and remember. I’ve lost my mind and had it restored by God before. It was not pleasant and I hope to not have to return to that place again.

1 Corinthians 10:12 (NIV) So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!

(The Message) Don't be so naive and self-confident. You're not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it's useless. Cultivate God-confidence.

"Inspiration For You" from Randy Mitchell

Keep Your Dreams to Yourself