Pride Makes You Take Your Eyes Off God

Shepherd’s Rod- part one

A shepherd carries a rod when he shepherds his sheep. The rod is used to aid in walking the terrain, strike a predator in pursuit of his flock, or it can be used in the discipline of wandering sheep. If a lamb is consistently strong-willed and leaving the herd places her in constant danger, the shepherd occasionally uses the rod to strike the leg of the sheep to crack the bone.  The shepherd would then tend to the sheep until her leg is healed. The purpose is for the tended lamb to become bonded to the shepherd and to never stray again.

I am just like that stubborn lamb, always leaving the herd and putting myself in danger. Pride is my best friend, and we stray off God’s path often. As if I can do anything on my own, I get all cocky.

I had a rough childhood and was forced to grow up fast. Because of this, I tend to plow through work and bulldoze a path through uncharted waters. With Pride by my side, I think I can conquer anything.  I easily forget and take my eyes off Jesus, my shepherd.

In 2013, my husband and I decided to repaint our two-story house. We rented a Genie Lift and bought gallons of paint. He was having bouts of tinnitus and vertigo so climbing into the Genie Lift was not an option for him. But instead of looking to me, his helpmate, he decided to put our 17-year-old son at the controls of the genie Lift and paint gun.

Pride Gets in the Way

Pride did a war dance around me. Condescending whispered in my ear. Fear crossed his arms and leaned against the deck railing confirming my innermost feelings of inadequacy. Insecurity led me back into the house.

I glared out the living room window as they planned their next move. He waved me outside. Because the painting progress with my 17-year-old son was slow going, my husband thought it would move faster if I painted while my son controlled the Genie Lift.

Pride begged me not to go. Fear shook his head. Insecurity reminded me of all my inadequacies. Reluctantly, I met them at the lift. Instead of being grateful for a spouse who looks out for me, and protects me from possible danger, I get offended. Pride can’t keep her mouth shut.

“What?” I mocked. “You want me, a woman, to help you? But I’m weak and so inadequate.”  Drenched in sarcasm, I stood stiff with my hands on my hips.

I’m sure God was standing behind me tapping His foot and shaking His head. Maybe He’s saying, “Don’t make me use my rod.”

How can you still love me, God? 

I raised one eyebrow, cocked my head toward my spouse, and climbed into the lift.  I’ll show him I can do whatever he can do and I can do it better. Ha! Pride boosted me up over the rail of the safety cage and climbed in beside me.

My son raised the lift, and I began a sweeping motion with the spray gun. Like an artist, given her first paintbrush, I created a perfect line repeatedly until the section of the house was complete and then we moved to the next. I was painting and I was good at it. Smug was my middle name. Pride patted me on the back. I was so full of myself that I didn’t realize I’d taken my eyes off Jesus.

Stay tuned to see if God has to use His rod to bring me back to Him…

See ya next week.