Pride

Pride is a double-edged sword. It can fuel ambition and drive, pushing excellence, but it can also lead us astray, blinding us to our flaws and ultimately lead to demise. This is sometimes easier said than done. However, when things can only be explained by God, there is a desire to keep the heart humble and  focus on Him.

Proverbs 16:18 "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." 

Last Sunday, post-Super Bowl comments from Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and Head Coach Nick Sirianni, both gave all glory to God for their team's successes. Their humility in the face of triumph is perfect example of this. Similarly, Boise State’s football coach, Spencer Danielson, famously begins every interview with "Praise Jesus” to openly share that the teams victories come by the Grace of God and the strength He gives the players.

 Zechariah 4:6 “ Not by might, not by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord” 

In the same way, I want to ensure that I’m not writing this from a place of pride but in humility to share what God has done in my life, giving Him the glory. Today is the final day of my 40-day fast.   During this time, I have dedicated 18 hours to fasting from food each day, while also eliminating pop, alcohol, sweets, and television for the duration. The first and last hours of my day have been set aside for reading the word, praying, and writing these blogs.  These choices were made with intention, seeking to create space for God to work in my life. I entered this fast praying and expecting breakthrough, clarity on my direction and purpose, and a willingness to sacrifice for God to make deliberate changes in my character.

Throughout this commitment, I’ve experienced a major transformation that can only be attributed to His grace. God has been faithful in giving me many desires of my heart as I submit to His will. My growth in my career at the fire department has been remarkable, marked by renewed confidence, motivation and clarity of purpose.

Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart."

I’ve also seen significant improvements in my family relationships and physical health during this fast. Clarity of mind and spirit has led to better decisions in every aspect of my life. Each choice I make is now rooted in the understanding that God has a greater plan for my life that the path I have been on, a mission bigger than my own ambition.

As I conclude this fast, I stand in amazement of the breakthroughs I believe are on the horizon: restoration in relationships, new opportunities awaiting me, and a clearer path to serve others. God is leading me toward a future filled with promise and abundance of blessing.  I’m excited about what lies ahead. It’s not about my strength but His power working through me.

Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Tomorrow, on Valentine's Day, I’ll write one more blog, focusing on love and its impact on our lives. Love is central to our purpose, as I have highlighted as a theme throughout each one, I have written. Moving forward, my blogs will be more on a weekly basis, aiming to be motivational and inspirational, particularly for the first responder community. I want to empower others to recognize that God still has so much for us to accomplish.

I give God all the glory for the changes in my life and the incredible plans He has in store. In a world that often glorifies self, I choose to boast in the Lord. This journey has taught me that true strength lies not in pride but in humility, obedience, and faith. I am on a continuous journey of growth, working toward the goals, dreams, and purpose that God has revealed to me.  I look forward to embracing the future with a heart full of gratitude and a spirit eager to serve.

1 Corinthians 1:31 "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."