Christian Living

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You may have noticed in my byline that my middle initial is “G.” Let me state for the record that it does not stand for “Grace”. The following story explains why.

Every Spring Break, our family takes a cruise and this year’s excursion sailed from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. We arrived in this beautiful port city the night before sailing and checked into a hotel, one that faced the crashing waves of the Atlantic and sat amid a shopping/restaurant court where balmy breezes were in constant flow.

I was exploring the area in sandals with one inch heels and straps between the toes. The heels weren’t a problem, the straps were. I can’t “do” between the toes. I find them uncomfortable, but the sandals were so cute, I determined to “make them work.”

You already know what happened. I stumbled…and stumbled and stumbled in what had to be the longest impending face plant known to woman. I must have traveled 10 feet in slow motion, but finally found myself sprawled in the street, staring up at a circle of strangers, their hands extended, and all asking, “Are you okay?!!”

“Oh, I’m fine!” I insisted, jumping to my feet. “Really, thanks, I’m FINE.”

Scraping up any available dignity, I walked away. It was only when I rounded a corner and was out-of-sight that I began massaging my smarting left side and leg.

“Ooh…ow…that HURT!” I muttered, limping into a beach shop where I ditched the wrong sandals for the right flip-flops--ones with straps that crossed the feet.

“I was SO embarrassed,” I later confided to my husband, “that even if I’d broken both legs, I would have gotten up and walked away just to save face.”

My spill was Proverbs 28:26 come to life: “He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.” Sometimes we know something is wrong for us, but we want it so badly that we vow to “make it work.” It could be a job, a relationship or a financial decision—whatever it is, if it’s wrong it’ll come back to trip us, and there we go—face down in front of everyone.

Such falls might find us reluctant to accept a helping hand. Shame or embarrassment prevents us from letting people know how much we’re hurting. Even when we don’t instigate our own falls, we sometimes cover our pain because we fear pity, being a burden or appearing weak.

Are such things the by-products of pride? They could be, and pride is a culprit that can keep us from seeking help, even from God. Seeking God’s help requires humility, which some people confuse with lowly degradation. Actually, the opposite is true. Only when we’re humble are we able to overcome. Why? Because humility is obedience, respect and faithful surrender to a sovereign God, the one who promises to exalt, guide, revive, sustain and hear the prayers of the humble. (Matthew 23:12, Psalms 25: 9, Isaiah 57:15, Psalms 147: 6, Daniel 10:12) It’s pride, not humility that takes and/or keeps us down.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5: 6-7)

Seeking help from others also requires humility. Nobody likes to admit that life isn’t the fabled rose garden, and many find it difficult to realize that everything isn’t a do-it-yourself project from Home Depot. We all need help at times, even those who are appointed by God to lead others.

Throughout the New Testament, the apostle Paul thanked people for tending to his physical needs or keeping his spirits lifted, and he always praised God for being the ultimate source of comfort, strength and help. If Paul had been pumped up on pride and set on relying solely on himself, he would have never become the missionary he was. It was respectful obedience to God’s will, and graciously accepting the help of others, that allowed Paul to teach, lead and persevere.

The world tells us that independence and self-reliance are good things. Indeed, they are. Without them, we’d never leave our parent’s house or even learn to butter our toast. Sometimes, though, pride motivates a desire for self-sufficiency that closes the door on God as well as others. As hard as we try to make our way “work”, we struggle beneath burdens even though Jesus offers rest and others are willing to help shoulder the load. (Matthew 11:28, Galatians 6:2)

Walking humbly before God leads to walking wisely—and that keeps us standing.

Of course, it helps to wear the right shoes, too.

©Donna G. Morton, April 2007

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