Reading: Acts 14
People "in between normals" pay more attention to their inner life. The uneasiness in the heart forces them to examine their inner beings.
For Christians, it may be a time of "heart surgery." God is checking their heart to prepare them for the "Kingdom new normal." Sometimes, He has to remove some tumours.
It is uncomfortable, annoying, and even frustrating. But it is necessary.
Hubris: The Tumour of the Heart
It may sound counter-intuitive, but many people are so successful that they become "victims of their own success."
How?
There is a virus called hubris. It infects both human beings and organizations.
Jim Collins defines hubris as "excessive pride that brings down a hero or an outrageous arrogance or entitlement that inflicts suffering upon the innocent."
Spot on!
In studying how mighty companies fall, Patrick Lencioni says they all begin with "hubris born of success."
Why?
You know why.
Because hubris poisons the heart, and your heart is the source of your life.
My friend, "guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." (Proverbs 4:23)
Guard it, as if your life depends on it!
Younger leaders are particularly susceptible to this virus. They are confident and competent. Everything they touch turns into gold.
They become so successful that they are worshipped by the people around them. The Four Horsemen (Recognition, Reward, Respect, and Relationship, or the 4Rs) start knocking on their doors, uninvited.
"See! I am better than them!"
Then, the worst possible thing happens. Their heart starts to metastasize. They start to believe that they do indeed deserve the worships.
The tumour is formed.
Listen to the wealthiest, wisest, and most successful men on earth. Just in case you don't know, he had 700 wives and 300 porcupines! Oops. I mean concubines.
"Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall", says King Solomon (Proverb 16:18)
"Fall? What fall?" asked the guy who is about to fall.
According to Prof. Howard Hendrick of Dallas Seminary, the deadliest "heart condition" of those who fall is this:
"I thought it won't happen to me ..."
Exceptionalism. Indeed. The fall is also exceptional.
Paul passed his test
In today's reading, Paul continued his first missionary journey.
By any measure, he was very successful.
Everywhere he went, people gathered in droves to hear him. God was so present with him that he even performed miracles! How's that for a young-ish leader!
People thought he was actually a god and started to worship him, literally! Even the priest of Zeus brought bulls and wreaths to offer sacrifices to Paul! (14:13)
This is "A star is born" moment for Paul!
So, how did Paul handle his unprecedented success?
Paul and Barnabas "tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you." (14: 14-15)
Paul passed his cardiac stress test!
Paul knew who he was, and more importantly, who he was not. His heart was in the right condition. Now, God is ready to give him an even bigger and more difficult assignment which requires a strong and healthy heart.
Reflection:
Is there any hint of hubris that God is revealing in your heart today? How can you address it?
Prayer for Today:
Dear God,
I come before you with an open mind and an open heart. I know my heart is as deceitful as any other people, and I dare not claim innocence. God, please reveal in me my true heart condition and shed light on my dark corners. At the same time, God, please have mercy on me and be gracious to me. Please guide me as I deal with my own pride. I want to be the kind of person you want me to be.
In Jesus' name. Amen.
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