Letting Go Of Pride By Pete BriscoeParaugs

Reaching Downward

In the kingdom of love there is no competition; there is no possessiveness or control. The more love you give away, the more love you will have. —John O’Donohue, Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom

Thirty-some years ago, while on a mission trip in the Philippines with my basketball team, I was given a visual lesson in loving those I considered being social strata below me.

We traveled from town to town, shared the Gospel, and played basketball. As an American team, we usually won, so we got some excellent press time. I soaked up this fame because I was kind of a scrub back in the States. But in the Philippines, I was one of the leading scorers! To be honest, I was getting a bit full of myself.

In the village of Boholon, there was a boy with leprosy. It was pretty grotesque—parts of his body and face were missing. And as he walked down the street, everyone ran away from him. He was an untouchable.

One morning as I was having my quiet time, I heard my buddy Randy whisper to the boy, “Come, come.” And the boy, uncertain, walked toward him. When he was near enough, Randy reached out and grabbed the stubs that once were the boy’s hands, pulled the boy onto his lap, and gently rocked him back and forth.

“Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me…. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.” (Luke 9:48)

Winning is not associating with those above us in social standing. It’s not getting a bunch of press time for our success. It’s not running in the “right” social circles. Winning is welcoming those whom we consider being below us.

It puts us in an awkward position to admit that we categorize people as above or below us. What a ridiculous way to distract ourselves from what Jesus wants to do through us.

Lord, am I the person who embraces the leper, or the person who embraces the spotlight? Can I be honest with myself? Either way, I thank You, for I know You love me regardless, and You want to do something new and life-giving through me. You’ve welcomed me; now welcome others through me. Amen.