Balancing The Sin Of Pride And Future Adventures
Posted: Tuesday, March 30, 2010
by Laura Trahan
God has been moving in our lives this last year moving our family in new directions. Let me take that back, God always moves in our lives. Just this past year, our family was more aware of His leading.
Hence the sin of pride and the topic of this article. We have been so excited about what God is doing, yet we fail to share because we have had this fear of coming off as prideful.
However, Pride is a sin that can creep in and destroy individuals slowly. Something, we never want to happen. John Piper, one pastor that we have spent the last year gobbling up wisdom from his books, teachings and tweets, recently announced he was taking a sabbatical from his church because of this very issue of pride. Piper's leave, although necessary, really brings tears to many not only because he will be missed, but also because that teaching is silent for a time. To read about the leave and the reasons, visit online at http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2010/4555_John_Pipers_Upcoming_Leave/
That being said, my husband recently felt called to childrens/youth ministry. He has been serving for years in this ministry and felt God leading him towards more. A few weeks later our church asked him to teach from the stage to the kids on Sunday morning.
As soon as it was over, he was hooked. I can honestly say I have never seen my husband more excited about anything in his life. He knew that is what he wanted to do more then anything.
As he bounced off the walls with excitement at our house, he never once shared with anyone other then our pastor and our best friends. Then he was asked to take over teaching the fourth through sixth grades in a new service designed especially for them. He was ecstatic!
I am not sure if you have ever tried to discern God's will for your life before and realized how scary it can be, but this action confirmed to him that he had heard exactly what God was trying to say to him. Can you imagine the excitement?
Yet, he still did not share with others. I finally asked him why he was not telling our extended friends and family for that matter of his new direction. His response was that he did not want to seem prideful.
I think sometimes we confuse the sin of pride. I am not sure how many people would think someone announcing they have been called to be a pastor as prideful? Pastors tend to have no money, more family issues, constant attack from Satan, etc. I am not sure how many people look at that calling as a good thing.
But that is where the balance comes. To him, it is an amazing honor and a dream. He is viewing it as the best opportunity/adventure in the world. If he is sharing, then he is being prideful. I am not sure that this is the sin of pride.
Paul is very clear that we are to boast and the works of Jesus Christ. If you knew my husband, finding a direction in his life is definitely a work of God. We should be boasting in that. This is the same person that has attended four different colleges and had four different majors. This is definitely a God thing.
That being said, my family is on a new adventure in its life traveling a road that only God will lead. Therefore, I am sad to say that my presence on SearchWarp will continue to be less and less.
I wrote my first article on SearchWarp in January 2006. Over the years, I have fallen in love with many of the writers here, even the ones I disagree with on many occasions. I have enjoyed watching writers grow and making spiritual connections that I never would have made otherwise.
Now God is turning a new page of a new chapter in our lives that will take away my time and commitment from SearchWarp. I am excited to see what becomes of these new adventures.
Here is a snapshot of where I feel led. The first is to offer endless service to my husband and his new ministry. I wish all of you could just come one weekend and meet these amazing servants of God and kids in these ministries. If I could bottle these people up and sell them, I would be a millionaire. They certainly have led, mentored and showed us Christ's love.
Of course, I will still be writing when I can. It will just be in a different capacity. I have about 27 books up in this head of mine that has been dying to come out, but never had the time. Now is the time. Also, for those who were not aware, I also wrote under the Stephany Springer account here on SearchWarp. I have plans to develop those writings more into a curriculum book and create my own website to sell and promote those ideas.
Also, I am looking into going back to school myself and getting my masters and certified again to teach again.
As if all of these were not enough, the most important adventure continues as a mom and wife. My daughter will start Kindergarten in the fall and my son will finish his last year at elementary. I am holding on to them as long as i can and want to be available to them at all costs.
Knowing that my writings will become fewer, realize that I will still be here to read the great writers I have fallen in love with over the years. Now, I might even have more time to comment!
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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)Excellent piece. In Youth With A Mission they had a neat definition of humility or humbleness - "being willing to be known for who you are, strengths and weaknesses..." The Lord Jesus gave us our giftings and callings - to Him be all glory! You are good at explaining your dilemma!
27 books? Get to writing!Pride, I think, has been given a bad rap. I know when I saw my book in print form my eyes misted up and my wife thought I was going to cry. Why? Not because I am all that and more, but because I FINALLY allowed God to bless me!What matters is how we place credit for our achievements. Your son would not be such a fine young man had you and Rob not listened to God's voice, correct?My best to you and your family.
Hi Laura. I liked reading this article.Theres a difference between being humble and having false humility which is pride... I love John Pipers book, "Desiring God" There are two things I have done with my 2 boys since they were born and thats to put them on my knee and tell them that I love and like them very much. ...I often say to people that God is your biggest fan and that he is like a parent running along the oval rooting you on in the game of life... (God is for us...never ever, never against us)
Great story shared Laura! Its been a long time since you have written anything here. I saw you online so thought of searching for your recent one but found this old one yet interesting one. Thanks for sharing.
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