Emerald is a petite little girl who still fits nicely into her Bumbo seat. Although she can twist her way out of it, when she’s up on the counter, we’re monitoring her closely.
Usually.
Yesterday while I was making her lunch, she was happily fingering a basket of sippy cups and bottles next to her. But in 30 seconds, a mysterious pink liquid began sliding out from under the basket.
Somehow she’d undone the child safety cap on a bottle of infant ibuprofen, then set it back into the basket upsidedown, which released the syrupy liquid till the bottle was empty.
Of course she had no idea what she’d done, but she’d wasted valuable medicine, created a sticky mess, and postponed lunch for clean-up time.
Once in a while I act that way too, getting into things that will end up the same way: wasteful, messy, and time-consuming. The only difference is, I’m old enough to know better.
Scripture warns us to count the cost of whatever we do. We’re to be industrious, yes, but we’re also to commit our decisions, plans, and behaviors to God before plunging in on instinct alone. When we ignore that counsel, we pay a hefty price.
Even worse than having to pay, though, is the loss of God’s approval. If we want him to be on our side (or more accurately, if we want to be on his side) we have to do things his way. Those of us who give lip service to obedience but do things our own way regardless, have a problem with pride.
The Bible doesn’t mince words on this subject. We read, “God opposes the proud.” (James 4:6) He isn’t just neutral when we put our plans ahead of his; he stands in opposition to us. And if there ever was an uneven match, “God-versus-me” is it. I want to do everything possible to avoid being part of that scenario.
As always, though, God doesn’t issue an edict and leave us hanging. Right after he lets us know what not to do, he tells us what to do: “Submit to Me.” (v. 7)
Sounds easy, but isn’t. That’s because pride is stiff-necked and expertly resistant to humbling, and the devil is behind it, relentlessly tempting us to put ourselves first. Maybe that’s why God’s next instruction is, “Resist the devil, and he will flee.”
Working backwards, then, if we want no part of the devil –> we’re to resist him –> which helps us submit to God –> which helps us kill pride –> which brings on humility –> which allows us to be on God’s side.
So when my plans result in a sticky mess, I know it’s simply the Lord saying, “Let’s clean this up and try again.”
“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:6-7)