I can’t stand high horses, so why do I consistently climb up on mine? Maybe I just like the view? Who knows.
My latest high horse adventure was just the other day when a dear girlfriend mentioned she’d run into a mutual friend – we’ll call him J. And J’s not just any mutual friend, but one who’d been at the center of a church scandal. I won’t go into details, but J left the ministry over this.
When my girlfriend told me about running into J and how they’d talked, I huffed (as you can only do when you’re up on that high horse) and reminded her of all his failures. She went on to tell me about what was happening in J’s life and I huffed again and said “can’t believe you’re so gracious after everything that happened.” And then she said “well, I’m not one to judge after all we’ve been through.”
WHAMO! that hit me right between the eyes. My girlfriend was quick to say “not that you’re being judgmental.” But I was being judgmental, she was just being kind I was right up on top of my high horse thinking that because J’s sin was on display for all to see and hear and talk about that made him worse than me. It doesn’t. It just makes him a better target.
I don’t know J’s heart, but I sure know mine. I was acting proud and arrogant. I was thinking that deadly thought “Lord, at least I’m not as bad as J (or K or L or whatever letter your person is.)” I was full of pride and ego, I was minimizing my sins and maximizing the sins of others. Sin is sin. And I’m definitely not one to judge anyone – kind of like the pot calling the kettle black.
All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23
All have sinned – that includes me why up here on my high horse. The Lord used the humble heart of my girlfriend to speak volumes to my spirit. I’ve prayed for a humble spirit and I’ve asked the Lord to make me realize when I’m being proud. He did.
Over the last many months, I’ve claimed several verses and worked to apply them to my life. One of these is
Humble yourself before the Lord and He will lift you up.
James 4:10
This past year has been a blast –it’s been one amazing adventure with the Lord and it comes on the heels of one of the most difficult times I’ve experienced in my Christian life. I’m just humbled that the Lord has blessed me in so very many ways and He just continues to do so while I’m acting all self –righteous up on that high horse.
Why is it so very easy to see the sins of others and not the ones that I commit? Believe it’s a full time job just asking for forgiveness from all of my mistakes – and I’ve made some big ones!
So for now, I’ll stay off the high horse and work on humbling myself before the Lord. He’s my joy and my strength. And when J comes to mind again (or up in conversation), I’ll remember to pray for him – and pray that the Lord is as gracious to him as he has been to me.
And I hope to put that high horse out to pasture — for good.
Mary-
Thanks for being an incredible inspiration to me!
S!
Mary,
Thought I would jump over and check out your blogspot. Amen and amen. We all tend to get on those high horses at times. What a wonderful tool this is to get to know our Siestas better.
In Christ,
Dianne
Mary,
I’ve been right there with you on that high horse…and doesn’t it hurt when we get knocked off? We had a similiar situation that had one person in our church causing division. I’ve learned to pray for him every time that I hear his name or am reminded of him…God loves him too.
Mary,
I came across your blog from another blog, and I must say I really enjoyed reading your blog. I can relate to many of the things you are saying. I have issues with getting on my high horse too some times. Thanks for the encouragement. Have a wonderful day!
In Him,
Kaytlynn
Mary,
Wow, just hit me over the head will you? I huffed (as you can only do when you’re up on that high horse) and reminded her of all his failures. She went on to tell me about what was happening in J’s life and I huffed again and said “can’t believe you’re so gracious after everything that happened.” And then she said “well, I’m not one to judge after all we’ve been through.”
I’m better on not stepping up to the stirrup to get on my high horse, but oh how easy it is for me to fall into this sin.
Our Father must be so weary with His saints beating one another up with our words. Great post.
You have really got me with this one!! I think this is something that we do all too easily!! AND- sometimes we may even feel it is justified! BUT -like you said- it’s not!!!! I have been on my horse way too often and like you, I pray that mine goes out to pasture and never comes back; and if it does I pray God sends in His dogs to chase it away!!! 🙂
Love ya!
Jeanette