“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18 (NKJV)
It’s late afternoon. Jack, a bright all-around student, dribbles his basketball on his family’s driveway. He stops, aims at the net above the
garage door, and shoots. A three pointer! There is no one to celebrate with him, so Jack whoops and dances around. A car pulls up. His
friend, Dan, starts toward Jack.
“Whatzup?” Jack asks in familiar slang as he continues to dribble the ball. “The debate team is meeting in a half hour. Can you come?
We found out that Sohi College dropped out and we’ll be debating that tough Citywide College team on Friday. We need to get together. One of the subjects is climate change. There’s lots of research we need to do.
Jack sinks another three-pointer. “Wow! You see that? It’s my third money ball today. For sure, I can go pro some day!” “Yeah, if you grow another six inches,” Dan chides. “Now, what about debate practice? You coming? We need you, man. I told the team I’d pick you up and bring you.”
“I don’t need to practice,” Jack replies. “I can out-debate anybody, any place, any time. I’ll be there Friday for sure, okay? Have I ever let
my team down?” “But what about that climate change topic? It can go a dozen ways, so let’s get going on the research. You’re our top debater, Jack. We really need you, man!” Dan pleads.
Friday arrives. The rival teams are seated on stage. The moderator introduces them. The debate is on. But because Jack’s pride in believing himself unbeatable and too smart to need study and practice, he seems unfocused and cannot refute his rivals. His team loses.
“Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” 1 Peter 5:6 (NKJV).
Father God, grant me humility in my thoughts, words and actions, that I may be pleasing in Your sight. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
– Kiki BelMonte-Schaller
Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.
The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website.
Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org