ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically” (Romans 12:11 NLT).
In the heart of a small, football-obsessed town, there lived a young man named Alex. With a quarterback’s arm that seemed touched by the gods and a charisma that made him the darling of his community, he was the epitome of a hometown hero. But beneath the glittering facade of adoration lay a dangerous flaw: pride.
On a crisp autumn night, under the glow of stadium lights and the roar of the crowd, Alex’s hubris led him down a treacherous path. In the final moments of a crucial playoff game, with victory tantalizingly close, he chose to ignore the coach’s carefully crafted play and instead opted for a risky, glory-seeking pass. The result was catastrophic—a devastating interception that not only cost his team the game but also shattered his own dreams of collegiate stardom.
The consequences were immediate and unforgiving. Alex found himself benched for the remainder of the season, his once-bright future dimmed by the shadow of his own arrogance. But it was the weight of shame and guilt that truly crushed him, a burden he couldn’t shake no matter how hard he tried.
In the depths of his despair, Alex turned to the words of 2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a, the story of King David’s fall and redemption. Like David, Alex had succumbed to the temptations of pride and selfish ambition. Like David, he had brought ruin upon himself and those around him. And like David, he found hope in the promise of forgiveness.
As Alex grappled with his mistakes, he found solace in the promise of forgiveness. He humbled himself before God, confessing his sins and seeking reconciliation. And in that moment of surrender, he experienced the transformative power of grace—a grace that washed away his shame and restored his spirit.
The story of Alex mirrors the timeless truths found in Scripture, particularly in Romans 12:11. This verse urges us to “never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.” It speaks to the importance of diligence and dedication in our lives, recognizing that our actions have consequences not just in the eyes of others but before God himself.
Alex’s journey from pride to humility offers valuable insights for our own lives. It prompts us to examine our hearts and confront the areas where pride may be lurking, tempting us to prioritize self-interest over the well-being of others. It challenges us to humbly acknowledge our mistakes and seek forgiveness, knowing that God’s grace is available to all who repent.
In a world that often celebrates individual achievement and personal success, the story of Alex reminds us of the dangers of pride and the importance of humility. It calls us to live lives marked by integrity, servanthood, and a willingness to put others before ourselves. And it points us to the ultimate source of hope and redemption—Jesus Christ, who offers forgiveness and restoration to all who turn to Him in faith.
As we reflect on Alex’s story and the timeless truths of Scripture, may we be inspired to walk in humility and obedience, knowing that true fulfillment is found in serving God and loving others with all our hearts. And may we never forget the high price of pride, nor the boundless mercy of our heavenly Father who offers forgiveness to all who seek it.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Pride may promise glory, but its consequences are steep and far-reaching. Choose humility and obedience, and find true fulfillment in the boundless grace of God.PRAYER
Lord, forgive us for the times we’ve let pride lead us astray and ignored the consequences of our actions. Help us to humble ourselves before You, seeking Your forgiveness and grace. Give us the strength to walk in obedience and the courage to face the consequences of our sins. Amen.
Devotion written by Rev. Todd R. Lattig with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI.