After chatting with an awesome fun gal on Twitter about our favorite characters from our favorite books, we decided to start our own on-line Christian Fiction book club.
We were surprised at how quickly members joined and the authors of the books we chose stopped by our Facebook page to chat about their books. As a Christian Fiction author myself, I thought this is going to look great on my book proposal.
My fun partner sent me an email to discuss a few things concerning the book club and she said, “I'm so excited to see the lives God will touch through the books we discuss.”
My heart fell to the bottom of my cowboy boot slippers. I was excited about the numbers on my proposal and she was excited about seeing lives changed for the better. Can you say humbled?
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18
Pride is a sneaky thing. We should take pride in what we do, so that we give our very best, but we should never become prideful. The difference for me is when I began to think I've done something on my own and what the gain is for myself.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17
God was gently reminding me that any success any ventures I undertake may have aren't from my own strength, they are from Him. He reminded me that when Satan became full of pride and thought he deserved to be worshipped God threw him out of heaven.
Pride is a dangerous thing.
Since then, my prayer has been for God to use me to touch lives. To never let me forget that it's all for Him, no matter what I do, to Him be the glory.
Now I pray that He would touch the people who stop by and read my words for Him. So if you're reading this, then I pray God will use these words to make your life richer in Him. Thank you for sharing your time and heart with me.
Has pride ever led you into a harmful situation? What are things you take healthy pride in?
[…] My pride. I think that because I haven’t fallen as low as some, that somehow I’m stronger than them. I am not. […]
[…] My pride. I think that because I haven’t fallen as low as some, that somehow I’m stronger than them. I am not. […]
Such a truthful post.
Thanks, Denise. Sometimes that truth hurts, but it’s always needed. 🙂
It’s amazing how fast pride can sneak up and where it can come from! One of the most humbling experiences of my life was when my first book was published and I had to battle the pride that came with it. But God knows, and He always uses it to bring us back to Him.
Thanks for sharing, Heather. I’m so thankful God is always on the watch for us. 🙂
I completely relate to this post – it is nice to be reminded every now and then, and we all have those moments when we need to be redirected. Part of my maturing process has been to identify those moments BEFORE someone else does!
One thing that I so enjoy about your blog is how applicable it is to the lives of regular people. Posts like this, while about you being humbled, are also an opportunity for your readers to remember to be humbled 🙂
I’m so glad you can relate to this, Lindsay. Your so right in saying we need to identify these moments before someone else. Sometimes I cringe when I go to share my stumbles, but if they help someone else, then it’s worth it!
Yes, it’s a balance. I grew up being very self-depricating (sp?) and overly modest. Even now, when you complement me on an outfit, I’ll say, “Oh, I just got it on sale at Target” or something like that! But I’ve learned from my husband to embrace the talents/abilities that God gave me. He gives us each unique gifts that plug into His kingdom, for HIS glory. And that’s the key. Like you said, everything we write needs to be to encourage/exhort others for God. Because without Jesus, all our talents/abilities are useless for eternity.
Balance is key, Heather. And what is it about us girls that we have such a hard time accepting a compliment? I’ve had to work on this too, a simple thank you is the best answer. 🙂 Here’s to using our talents for Him, an eternal impact.
Thank you for this post!!! this is so very true. I have to keep remembering this as I take new turns in my life. I am not doing this on my own, GOD is in control of all of it!!!
I’m so glad this helped you. It’s so easy for us to think we’re doing it, when we aren’t. You’re right, Andrea, God is in control of all of it. Amen!