Video Challenge Day 8: The Arnold Palmer Principle

{God continues to chisel...}


God:  You have alot of anger.
Man:  OW!
God: Some pride.
Man:  OW!
God: You compare yourself to others instead of me.
Man: OW!

In the final hole of the 1961 Master's Tournament, the golfing legend Arnold Palmer turned to see his opponents.  The entire game he had maintained a one stroke lead.  As he lined up his final putt he noticed a friend standing at the edge of the viewing line motioning him over.  Feeling pretty good about himself, Arnold decided to take a short breather.  His friend stuck out his hand and said a premature "congratulations" to his inevitable win.  Pride welled up inside Arnold and he returned the hand shake with confidence.  He returned to his ball and missed the shot.  Arnold quoted, "You never forget a mistake like that.  You learn from it, and become determined that you will never do that again."

The concept of life merits many comparisons such as battle, journey, race, or even game.  Paul said he "pressed toward the mark for the prize."  Upon awakening each day, we place ourselves at the starting line, or first hole of the "game." The attitude we assume, and the first steps we make determine our team, and course for the day.  Realize it, or not,  you line up your own shots!  Many of you have made some wise choices this morning.  Maybe you opened the word, and shared some time with God.  You might have performed some selfless acts for your neighbor.  By any standard,  you've got a one stroke lead on the majority of your peers.  At the very moment of that realization, pride sets in.  You see, the funny thing about pride is that it thrives on goodness.

We have done our best to "Christianize" it by telling people, "Look how God has blessed ME!"  But God knows the thoughts and intents of the heart.  2 Corinthians 10:12 warns us that comparing ourselves to others leaves us without understanding.  I believe the source of this natural comparison is rooted in a prideful heart.  Jesus set the ultimate example and commended us to follow after him.  When we fall short of His example we grasp at human comparisons to raise ourselves up. What is it called when we raise ourselves up?  Pride.  Proverbs 16:18 says that pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Before we accept congratulations for OUR inevitable success, let us realize that every good gift comes from God.  Without him, we are nothing.  And honestly, we were never anything to begin with.  It is ALL JESUS!    Since pride is a natural human reaction, we have all fallen from its heights at some point.  Today, before you climb the mountain of pride and comparisons, induce your own fall into the arms of Jesus.  Living by HIS standards, and not those of individuals.