We were in inner Jamaica, away from the major cities visiting a church where I was to give a brief talk for the service. We were fortunate enough to be able to arrive early to attend Sunday School. As we arrived, there were other people there, mostly Jamaicans. Unfortunately, the teacher seemed to be a bit intimidated. She was an older woman, probably in her 60's and was a pillar in this church as well as the surrounding community. It was obvious she was well-respected for her leadership. As she moved to the front of the room, she made a little "nest" for herself with pillows and sat very regally speaking to us.
What she said next made me think she felt intimidated (maybe not), "I have been teaching this class for many years and I know the answers for the questions that you may have. But, please don't interrupt, you can ask your questions at the end of class, when I am thru telling you God's truth." I was intrigued by her accent and her use of colloquialisms that were unfamiliar to me. But, at times, I got lost in what she said as she introduced her lesson and the way that her body position displayed a person of authority.
Now, there are many ways that this post that I am writing could go. This post is not about this Sunday School teacher and my probable misunderstanding of her pride as I am sure there are so many things culturally that I missed. This story is so rich in cultural/spiritual/psychological applications. I enjoy studying cultural anthropology and coupling it with my counseling and my feeble attempts at representing Christ to others. I try to understand people without looking thru my white, middle class, American male biases.
Nevertheless, this post is about my pride.
That evening, as I lay in bed, swatting mosquitos feeling very uncomfortable in the sweltering humidity, I was reflecting upon my experience that morning in Sunday School. I got to thinking, "she was a very proud woman. She had no formal college education and lives in a small village teaching in a small church in a small island country. She has no reason to act so proud." With that thought, I clearly heard in my head a reprimand from God that filled me with remorse over my own pride. Who was I to judge this woman who has been teaching God's Word for years?
God has clearly stated, "So when you, a mere man, pass judgment and yet do the same things, do you think that you will escape God's judgment?"
As I continued to listen to God that evening, I felt God's loving reproof for attitudes that I had been displaying. It wasn't much of a struggle because God's Holy Spirit was on target and I needed correction. He was right.
At times I become prideful and God doesn't have to say much to remind me of how He has worked and is working in my life. Just a simple recollection of that woman or my time in Jamaica usually gets me back on track and less self-protective.
Protectionist attitudes, IMHO, represent a spiritual dysfunction. I believe God protects our reputation if we serve Him in humility.
C.S. Lewis puts it much better and serves as a reminder, "How is it that people who are obviously eaten up with Pride can say they believe in God and appear to themselves very religious? I am afraid it means they are worshiping an imaginary God."
Ouch.
BE HOLY.
BE A MAN.
What she said next made me think she felt intimidated (maybe not), "I have been teaching this class for many years and I know the answers for the questions that you may have. But, please don't interrupt, you can ask your questions at the end of class, when I am thru telling you God's truth." I was intrigued by her accent and her use of colloquialisms that were unfamiliar to me. But, at times, I got lost in what she said as she introduced her lesson and the way that her body position displayed a person of authority.
Now, there are many ways that this post that I am writing could go. This post is not about this Sunday School teacher and my probable misunderstanding of her pride as I am sure there are so many things culturally that I missed. This story is so rich in cultural/spiritual/psychological applications. I enjoy studying cultural anthropology and coupling it with my counseling and my feeble attempts at representing Christ to others. I try to understand people without looking thru my white, middle class, American male biases.
Nevertheless, this post is about my pride.
That evening, as I lay in bed, swatting mosquitos feeling very uncomfortable in the sweltering humidity, I was reflecting upon my experience that morning in Sunday School. I got to thinking, "she was a very proud woman. She had no formal college education and lives in a small village teaching in a small church in a small island country. She has no reason to act so proud." With that thought, I clearly heard in my head a reprimand from God that filled me with remorse over my own pride. Who was I to judge this woman who has been teaching God's Word for years?
God has clearly stated, "So when you, a mere man, pass judgment and yet do the same things, do you think that you will escape God's judgment?"
As I continued to listen to God that evening, I felt God's loving reproof for attitudes that I had been displaying. It wasn't much of a struggle because God's Holy Spirit was on target and I needed correction. He was right.
At times I become prideful and God doesn't have to say much to remind me of how He has worked and is working in my life. Just a simple recollection of that woman or my time in Jamaica usually gets me back on track and less self-protective.
Protectionist attitudes, IMHO, represent a spiritual dysfunction. I believe God protects our reputation if we serve Him in humility.
C.S. Lewis puts it much better and serves as a reminder, "How is it that people who are obviously eaten up with Pride can say they believe in God and appear to themselves very religious? I am afraid it means they are worshiping an imaginary God."
Ouch.
BE HOLY.
BE A MAN.
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