“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.” – Pro. 11:2 ESV
“He must increase, but I must decrease.” – John 3:30 ESV
I just broke my third bone in a year, all from snowboarding, all causing me to have to take a couple of months out. After the second injury I thought, “Okay. Maybe I’m getting a bit cocky and God is telling me to take it down a notch.” After the third, I felt my conscious strongly telling me that it’s time to stop riding for me and my glory.
Funnily enough, before the most recent episode a few weeks ago, I drove up the hill and prayed that God would help me be humble and selfless and use that day as a time to spend time with old and maybe new friends. He gave me exactly that opportunity. I met a random guy on the lift who asked me how to do a certain trick and suggested we cut some laps together. We did one, then got separated in the lift line. Spying some mates up ahead that I had planned to meet and wanting to catch up with them through the run, I didn’t wait up for my new buddy. By the bottom of that lap, I felt pretty guilty about ditching him. A few runs later, and- bam- I was sledding out with ski patrol and had lost my opportunity to reconnect with this dude.
I think I’m finally starting to learn from these accidents. I get too caught up in the hype of snowboarding. A lot of the time I ride for me instead of hanging back and helping someone learn a new trick or taking time out to visit an injured friend. It’s time to use the passion for snowboarding I’ve been gifted with to channel something else – a love for helping others and shining Jesus’ love around in the lift line, the chair, the slopes, and beyond. Jesus is the perfect example of a humble life; he never let the weed of pride take over. He didn’t come to be served, but to serve. I don’t want my identity to be found in snowboarding but in our humble king.
Challenge
- Do you think you may have weeds of pride in your life? Do you compare yourself with others? Feel superior by putting others down? Do you ever do something humble and then feel proud about that?
- Skiing and snowboarding is mostly an each-for-their-own culture. What are some ways this culture glorifies self-importance and exaltation?
- What extra things can you do when you’re riding or out and about in the shred community to serve, put others first, and set an example so others are inspired to do the same?
By Naomi Macfarlane | Wanaka, New Zealand