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Have you ever known someone who seemed a bit overconfident? Someone who seemed to have all the answers? Someone who always managed to respond to another’s story by saying, "That’s nothing! You should have seen what happened to me!"
I love the above video. Maybe it is a reminder to "keep it humble." Maybe it is a reminder to always be growing (instead of thinking "if they would only listen to me"). Maybe it is a reminder that we need to be very careful about trying to impress. Maybe it is a reminder that we are sometimes prone to get overconfident only to wipe out at the last moment.
Didn’t Paul warn about being overconfident? After warning the church about the displeasure that God found in Israel in earlier years, he then warns them about following the same path. He warns the Corinthians about idolatry, sexual immorality, testing the Lord, and grumbling. (Isn’t it amazing that the word "grumbling" appears in the same context as behaviors like idolatry and sexual immorality? Note 1 Corinthians 10:6-10.)
Finally he says, "These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall. No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" (1 Corinthians 10:11-13).
There it is — a warning and a promise. We need the warning don’t we? Maybe this functions as sort of a "wake-up" for us! It is very easy to become smug. We begin to see ourselves as a part of the group of people within the body of Christ who "get it" while looking down on other Christians who just don’t get it. Meanwhile, Paul might say to us, "Be very careful with that. Be very careful about thinking you are above temptation."
At the same time, this is a wonderful reminder that God is faithful and that he will not abandon us when we are tempted.
In the meantime, I want to be very careful about declaring myself a winner. I wonder, what did this guy say to his friends after he got off his bike?
🙂
A couple of years ago I was flying high, spiritually cocky, thought I had everything under control–I was overconfident. Satan creeped up on me with one of those besetting or entangling sins, the kind that seems to wrap around you like deep south humidity, and is just as stifling. I learned more about myself during that time than any other period throughout my life. I learned that I really am nothing without the Spirit of God leading me, and that my spirit is no match for the flesh. I came to realize that Galatians teaches the war is between Spirit (captitol S) and flesh. I was humbled. I will never lift my arms in anticipation of the finish line again (ref. video). I’ll use my arms to cling to Jesus and celebrate the reality that He raised His arms for the sake of my sin. If I boast, it will be only in Him.
Oh so true. Last night I was explaining this to a girl I’m mentoring: we must trust God with everything, then we can be confident in what we do.
Oh so true. Last night I was explaining this to a girl I’m mentoring: we must trust God with everything, then we can be confident in what we do. My strength is in Him.
Oooh. To compete at that level and then fail so visibly and miserably. That hurts. The body language at the end says it all. Could he say anything at all? I’d bet it was a painful silence, packing up to go home.
This reminds me of the young woman at the Winter Olympics who attempted a little hot-dogging move on her snowboard near the end of the race and ended up falling and losing the gold medal as a result.
I have found the older I get, if I’ve gained any wisdom at all it’s the absolute conviction that outside of Christ in me, I am and have nothing about which to brag. Great video!!
Poor guy! Bless his heart! (I don’t know what that guy would say to his friends, but that’s what I felt like saying to him. 🙂 ) I am such a klutz myself that I immediately relate to public humiliation. 🙂 But, I’m off- topic. Sorry.
Well, that’s nothing… you should have seen what happened to me… 🙂
It’s hard to participate in all the commands to love, encourage, forgive, be kind, etc. to one another when the only one in the picture is oneself. I’m glad Jesus wasn’t like that.
Thanks Ben, Connie, Greg, Bryan, Ray, Frank and Dulce Diana…