In just less than two hours I will be having surgery to reconstruct my ACL ligament of my right knee. I received the injury about a month ago while competing in Brazilian Ju-Jitsu. To be honest with you I could have avoided the injury if I had surrendered by indicating that my opponent had me in a submission hold.
Due to the fact that he used an illegal maneuver I felt that I would not give him the satisfaction of winning and allowed by pride to take over. The result is a snapped ACL ligament (right knee) and a stretched MCL ligament (left knee) and at least 6-8 months before my knee will be fully restored.
Pretty silly if you think of it, how our pride gets in the way of progress and stops us from truly developing as Christ-followers. While reading the gospels I have found that the values of the kingdom that Jesus came to establish were radically different than those of His day. As you will recall the Pharisees and teachers of the law clamored for the spotlight and sought the praise and admiration of the crowds. Many of us still do this today.
In Luke 14 Jesus teaches a parable that taught His followers about humility. The parable talks about people who chose the most honored seat for themselves at a wedding feast (vv.7-8). He said they would be embarrassed when the host asked them publicly to take their rightful place (v.9). Jesus went on in His story to talk about who to invite to such dinners. He said they shouldn’t invite friends and family, “instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you” (vv.13-14).
Let me ask you: Are sometimes disappointed because you are not a member of the more elite group in your church or social group? Disappointed because you have not advanced high enough on the career or the social ladder? If so, listen to what Jesus has to say: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (v.11). That’s the radical and upside-down way of God’s kingdom!
Just remember:
In God’s kingdom humility wins over pride every time.
P.s. Appreciate it you guys can pray that the operation will be a success and that I will be able to able to run the summer camps.