I am not a fan of the term “swagger”. To me, it implies an attitude of pride. Pride is never a good thing. Oh, don’t get me wrong, growing up, when I played sports competitively, I would walk in with my team like we owned the whole world. We went in with the mindset of total world domination. Our goal: Destroy all who are in our path! Take no prisoners! I remember one time while playing a basketball tournament, we were physically outmatched on stature alone. We were shorter as a whole team than our opponent, we were playing on their court, in their neighborhood, in their tournament. It was a back and forth game and it was going to come down to the wire. We were down by 2 points and coming back on to the court after a timeout. I remember it like it was yesterday. The guy guarding this 6’2 writer whose only organized basketball experience is church league basketball, was 6’4 and fairly athletic. He asked me when I came back to the free throw line to set up our play, “Whatchu boys got planned for winning this game?” With all the “swagger” and cockiness I could muster, I replied without hesitation, “I am going to come off a pick at the top of the key, get the pass and drain a 3 right in your face for the win.”
He started laughing and told one of his teammates what I said. Sure enough, I was telling him the truth, knowing he wouldn’t believe it. I came across the pick, got the pass at the top of the key and, wait for it…wait for it…drained the 3 right in his face over his outstretched hand trying to block my shot. We win at the buzzer by 1 point and all I could do was hold up both my hands and stare at my dejected defender as he hung his head and the realization that they had lost to an opponent that was physically inferior. Just like we drew it up! That is my March Madness moment of glory and I am sticking to it!
I was so full of pride! Our team had the contrived “swagger”. However, we fell…and fell hard in the next game. I really didn’t know how we lost, but boy, did we ever lose. There is something to humility. Pride can’t win games, swagger can only take you so far. Proverbs 11:2-3 says it this way,
Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Honesty guides good people, dishonesty destroys treacherous people.
Pride is believing and projecting a false image that is greater than reality. When the prideful person’s claims are found to be false, those very claims become a disgrace and embarrassment to that individual. When a person is humble, on the other hand, others find out about their talents and abilities through their integrity. Whether it is on the court or on the job, they take no credit for what they have been given. It comes from God. THAT is true wisdom. Honesty is a natural outflow of a person whose heart is right before God. Those who practices include things that go against God will ultimately be destroyed by their own illusions and practices. That is an outflow of who they are.
What, then, can we learn? Walking in humility not just before God, but before your fellow man is a must. Let God reveal the gifts He has given to you while you work in front of other people. Remain truthful at all times regardless of the situation and the destruction of your words will always elude you. Your honesty will stand the tests that will come. Truth will always be revealed and will always win. Let God be the One with Swagger! Don’t take His swagger…
In what areas of your life are you projecting pride in yourself that really belongs to God?
What are some ways that you can remain humble?
oneguyseyes 