1 Peter 4:1-5:14

How to Be Lifted Up

The 2006 NCAA Football season was a remarkable one that in some ways has shaped the College Football landscape ever since. The Big 10 entered the season with the pre-season #1 team in Ohio State. On September 9 the Buckeyes seemed to totally validate that lofty position with a 24-7 beat down of #2 ranked Texas. As the season progressed the mystique of Ohio State and the Big 10 grew. On November 18 they were still undefeated when they faced another #2 ranked team in fellow Big 10 member Michigan. The games resulted in a thriller with Ohio State prevailing 42-39. The cry went up for a rematch in the National Championship game but due to an unlikely set of circumstances Michigan had to settle for the Rose Bowl whit Ohio State faced Florida in the National Championship game. These two behemoths were highly favored in both games. Too bad they couldn’t have faced each other again for the big prize. 

On New Year’s Day Michigan faced the University of Southern California in the Rose bowl. USC won 32-18. It was certainly a let down but it could be passed off as simply the disappointment hangover of not getting to play for the National Championship. On January 8, 2007 Ohio State lined up against Florida and returned the opening kickoff all the way for a touchdown! All seemed right with the world but then they had to play the next 59 and a half minutes. The final score? Florida 41 Ohio State 14.

Pride goes before a fall. We all know that. Sometimes the fall is quite sudden. At other times is may appear to be almost in slow motion, or as if it isn’t coming at all. The time between the June 17, 1972 Watergate break in and Richard Nixon’s leaving office in disgrace on August 8, 1974 comes to mind. But sudden or slowly the result is the same.

However, there is a way, a proper way, to be exalted. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. The issue isn’t being exalted. The issue is the attitude we carry. We may be certain that if we carry an attitude of pride we will fall. We may be equally certain that if we will humble ourselves under God then He will lift us up, and to the exact right place as well. It will be in due season. It may come sooner. It may come later. It will come. Don’t worry about it. Give all of your worry to Him. He cares for you.