A Haughty Heart

"Pride goeth before destruction,
and an haughty spirit before a fall."
(Proverbs 16:18 KJV)


You ruled life from the scorner's seat,
O, stupid, foolish heart!
A criticizing know-it-all,
You thought you were so smart!
When it came time for judging folks
You always jumped right in;
Behind the skirts of Honesty
You pointed out each sin.
So quick to see things black-and-white,
So you-are-wrong-and-I-am-right,
So pleased with Self, so smug inside,
So judgmental, so full of pride.

No backslider, fallen from Grace,
Could stop your preaching in his face,
Self-righteous blood would course through you
As you'd spout forth the things you "knew" ~
How he could never be God's tool!
O, haughty heart! Exalted fool!

Thank God His ways are not your own,
Had you but guessed! Had you but known!
Your pompous pride God could not stand,
So He took matters in His hand.

O, wicked, vain, conceited heart!
God took your world, tore it apart.
And when His plan was made complete,
He'd pulled you from the scorner's seat.
No pedestal to stand upon,
Your ego bruised, your self-pride gone;
No other heart could you condemn,
For you were now the same as them.

O, broken, bleeding, contrite heart!
God had to smash your world apart!
You were so sure, self-satisfied,
So steeped in sanctimonious pride!
A legalistic fool were you!
God had to break your pride in two!
And in its stead He planted love,
A tolerance born from up above;
More merciful...compassionate, too,
No longer judge-and-jury, you.

Now when you spy a pious pose ~
Disdainful gaze down "spiritual" nose,
You long to bare your scars and say:
"Don't judge...it might be you someday!"

And when you face your Judge on high,
I think you'll see Him smile and sigh:
"Beloved child ~ I rule alone ~
There's room for One upon My Throne!"

--Connie

"Judge not, that ye be not judged.
For with what judgment ye judge,
ye shall be judged..."
(Matthew 7:1-2a, KJV)

[ by: Connie Hinnen Cook (cjcook@mynewroads.com) -- from Connie Hinnen Cook ]