Paralyzing Pride

Pride is not bigger than the program, although it thinks it is.

Jonah 1-4

               We often tease that we do not want to be on God’s tough soldiers list anymore. How tired and depleted we are while being obedient to God’s commands and will. However, let's talk about our pride and how it likes to interfere with God’s affairs. I’ve said it before that most of the time God will send us places and give us orders that almost always go against the culture (ways of the world). And that is what makes being obedient so heavy. To voluntarily become a social pariah. To be misunderstood, overlooked, isolated, and possibly ignored. To receive clear instructions from God, and follow them explicitly, and then be met with opposition, insults, doubt, and rejection. Or to be accused of being a liar, troublemaker, or anything besides an obedient child of God. And this is where pride can often get the best of us.

               Using the prophet Jonah as a good example of this. Jonah is often associated with his stay inside a fish for three days and three nights. His attempt to finesse his way out of his assignment only led to his being reminded quickly of the God he serves. Therefore, after he realized he was not bigger than the program, he went to the town of Nineveh and delivered the message that God told him to deliver. The people of Nineveh were deep in sin, and God was planning to destroy them. And Jonah delivered that message to them. And now this is how Jonah’s pride decided to make another appearance. Yes, I say another appearance. Jonah’s pride made an appearance when he tried to outrun God. Let me explain. The people of Nineveh were so deep in sin, and Jonah believed he was above them. He did not want to mingle with the likes of them. He believed he was too good to visit that town. How many of us can relate to this? God has instructed us to move to a certain city, accept a position, or interact with people who are not quite like us. How many times do we meet these instructions with opposition? “I’ve worked too hard to get away from….” Or “I refuse to go there; do you know who I am”?

               I will admit, I am guilty of this too. There are times when I attempt to avoid certain assignments. I’ve said, “they aren’t my type of people” or “I don’t want to return to xyz” before. But what does that really mean? That I believe I am bigger than the program? That God is mocking me or making a mistake? Sure, they may not be my type of people. I may not invite them to my next birthday party, but they are God’s people. And for those reasons, my pride has no authority to interfere with God’s will. There are also times when God has instructed me to write something or create something, and it is not received or appreciated by the audience. And in those moments, my pride tries to interfere. Sure, I can relate to Jonah because Jonah’s pride fueled his disobedience. It is easy to read Jonah and judge him. However, how many times have we been Jonah? How many times have we refused to make concessions or bend our standards? It is easy to say that we obey and respect God. That we are his faithful servant until he orders us to do something we want to avoid. That is when pride becomes a problem.

               Although Jonah reluctantly obeyed and went to Nineveh and delivered God’s message. His pride still floated closely by. The people of Nineveh received his message so well that they instantly turned from their sinful lifestyle and repented to God. Because of this, God changed his plans; he decided to spare them. Considering how other prophets have been treated, in my opinion, Jonah got a fair break. Jeremiah was thrown in jail. Noah was mocked. Elijah wished for death in the wilderness because he was not received well. And of course, much later on, Jesus was crucified. Historically, God’s messages are not received well by the masses. Yet, we see where Jonah was able to deliver God’s message in a convincing way that not only allowed them to change their ways but also to welcome Jonah and not torture him. Analyzing Jonah’s behavior, we can again see how his pride thought it was bigger than the program. When God reveals to him that he will no longer destroy the town, Jonah is angry. He is upset that what he prophesied will not come to pass. Instead of being pleased with the salvation of the town, he was irritated that their destruction was cancelled. Why? Was it because he believed the people were not worthy of redemption? Maybe. Was it because he believed God was making the wrong decision? Again, maybe. But what is clear in the word is that Jonah was upset because he did not want to be considered a liar. He did not want the people to assume he was incorrect. Sure, his words allowed the people to cease their sinful lifestyles and return to God. Sure, his words spared their lives and gave them another chance. But his pride allowed him to overlook that. His pride allowed him to only focus on himself. How many of us are guilty of this? I know I am.

               It is easy to allow our standards, credentials, experience, accolades, popularity, and even expectations to cause us to become disobedient. It is easy for us to talk ourselves out of God’s assignments. In those moments, it is important to remember that it is our pride speaking. Our pride will convince us that we are bigger than God’s program. And when you break it down like that, it sounds quite silly, doesn’t it? That you, little ol you, are much bigger than the work God is doing in this world. Sure, God sent his son to save you, but that does not mean you are bigger than him. You are worth saving, yes, but you are not worth destroying God’s will. There is a big difference. Jonah’s assignment was bigger than him. He was able to save the lives and souls of an entire town. In my opinion, that is pretty remarkable. Extremely impressive. However, Jonah’s pride allowed him to become disobedient and then consumed with anger. It is easy to judge Jonah. To say, well, his work was impactful and life-changing, why didn’t he focus on that? But how many times have we been Jonah? How many times did we focus on us in an assignment and not on God and God’s impact? How many times have we allowed anger and irritation to infect a moment of completion? It is easy to become Jonah because it is easy to adopt the wrong perspective. It is easy to focus on the people instead of the purpose.

               Moving forward, when God gives us instructions that do not seem to align with our program. We need to ask God the correct questions. Such as, “Why do you have me here?” “Could you order my steps?” “Can you protect me as I leave my comfort zone?” This is not a linear process. Sometimes we will be called to go places, say things, or complete tasks that go against our standards, credentials, experience, accolades, popularity, and even expectations. It is natural to have emotions and thoughts in these moments. To question and confirm we heard God correctly. However, in these moments we must remember who is bigger than the program and that we quiet our pride and focus on the purpose. In these moments, it is important to remind yourself that you are not bigger than the program. The next time God sends you to your Nineveh, remember, the mission will be complete. God’s will be done; however, it is up to you to decide which side of completion you want to reside in. After all, your pride is NOT bigger than God, no matter how much it tries to convince you otherwise.   

Pride is not bigger than the program, although it thinks it is.