RISE WITHOUT FALLING
- Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
- Jul 25
- 2 min read
Readings:
Acts 13:13-25
Psalm 89:2-3,21-27
John 13:16-20
Pride, they say, goes before a fall. The Greeks tell a story about Daedalus and his son, Icarus. They were imprisoned in a tower on Crete by King Minos. To escape, Daedalus crafted wings for himself and Icarus using feathers and wax. Icarus, overcome by the joy of flight, intoxicated by his ambition, disobeyed his father's warning and soared too high, causing the wax to melt and his wings to fail, leading to his fall into the sea and drowning.
Beware of the danger of pride. “No servant is greater than his master,” Jesus reminds us that pride draws us into self-centeredness, turning our focus inward and away from God. It tempts us to seek praise, attention, and validation from others, making our sense of worth and happiness dependent on fleeting human approval rather than on the steadfast love of God. When our joy is rooted in earthly recognition, it becomes fragile, easily stolen when applause fades or when we are overlooked. Pride not only robs God of the glory due to Him, but ultimately robs us of lasting peace and contentment.
St Augustine teaches that humility turns humans into angels. In contrast to Icarus’ prideful ascent, embracing humility lifts us to heights which defy gravity. True humility frees us from the exhausting pursuit of recognition. When we are humble, our happiness is no longer tied to whether others notice our efforts or applaud our achievements. Instead, we become secure in knowing that our worth comes from being children of God, not from human approval. Humility lifts the burden of constant self-promotion and quiets the anxiety of needing to be seen. It allows us to shine with grace, regardless of our circumstances, because we no longer seek to elevate ourselves, but to serve, just as Christ Himself did. In humility, we find a joy that pride can never offer. What does the Lord God require of you? “To act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). Let us pray for grace to walk in humility with Christ.
JUDE-MARY OWOH
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”
If you said the prayer, Congratulations! You are welcome to the body of Christ. Prayerfully seek out a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor, or priest.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof; but speak only the word and my soul shall be healed. Heal me from an inordinate desire to be approved, recognised or praised. Help me to do what pleases you and grants peace to my soul. Amen.
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