“I will cut you down to size among the nations; you will be greatly despised. You have been deceived by your own pride because you live in a rock fortress and make your home high in the mountains.‘Who can ever reach us way up here?’ you ask boastfully. But even if you soar as high as eagles and build your nest among the stars, I will bring you crashing down,” says the LORD.” (Obadiah 1:1-4 NLT)
Like every other nation, America is filled with patriotic citizens who believe that our own country is the best. Even though things may not be perfect right now, we feel that it’s just a matter of time; a change in leadership, a few tweaks in policy, and the country will be great again. National pride can deceive us into imagining that our country’s flaws are inconsequential, especially in comparison to other places. We look down from our high and lofty seat at those who are less privileged and powerful. How dare they criticize us when we have the biggest economy, the mightiest military, and the most beautiful land?
Pride, in any form, can be pernicious--even when we call it by other names such as self-confidence, superiority, or nationalism. Self-absorbed people cannot know God intimately. Those who look condescendingly at the powerless are unable to notice Christ in their midst. Jesus modeled servant-leadership. We are called to love our neighbors, regardless of their ethnicity or nationality.
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