Tag Archive - hubris

Hubris Revived…

December 19, 2010 in Christian Life with 2 Comments

Over the years I’ve struggled to capture the words and sentences required to posit a description/explanation for some of the most significant changes that have occurred in my life. I have tried and tried and tried, yet repeatedly failed. Those who know me best have come to see that I am much different than I used to be. Naturally, I get asked…

Why? How? What caused it?

If that’s you, then I direct you here. If it’s not you, then I still encourage you to click on that link. It just might save you from making a fatal mistake. Take a second, though, and follow my directions below.

First, read Hubris Defined. Then jump to Descending Hubris. Like nothing else, this author captures what has most made the difference, insofar as my personal contributions are concerned.

Keep in mind, God has actually been at the root of it all, slowly and often painfully working his work (Philippians 2:12-13). But life’s experiences have done their part to shake the old me to the core, leaving something significantly different than before.

I feel it imperative to admit…I know the author and he knows me. In fact, we know each other well enough that, at times, it’s been unsettling for each of us.  We’ve actually been closer than blood brothers, so it seems. At other times, we’ve fought as much as blood brothers fight.

I can’t, nor would he want me to, take credit for it all, but given how we functioned together for a five year period of time, I am confident that some of the blame for his “hubris” should be laid at my feet. We’ve actually discussed it. Nevertheless, at that time, I gave no indication that his ascent up the mountain of hubris, a mountain I too was climbing, was a mistake. In fact, I am confident that in numerous ways I encouraged him to make the lofty climb. In fact, that too he was willing to affirm. At my request, he also outlined some particulars that help me to ascertain the nuances to Descending Hubris. For that I am thankful.

Now if you have the courage and stamina to read Descending Hubris in its entirety, you’ll find what exists as the impetus for all that is different, for all that has changed, in me. Do with it what you will.

If you are one who is making the arduous ascent up a mountain of misery, the mountain of hubris, think carefully about what the author suggests. If you are one who’s found that the air is too think to sustain life at the top, then you might be on your way down yourself. In my estimation, that’s great. Don’t worry about those with whom you cross paths on your descent. Let’s hope they find out what it’s like for themselves. In the end, they’ll either jump or wisely descend. I chose the latter. So did the author. You might should too.

Descending Hubris…

March 8, 2010 in Blogs with 3 Comments

Writing is an art form. Some have it; some don’t; some, like me, are trying to find it. The author of Descending Hubris I know well. I’ve known him since the mid-1990s. He has an incredible way with words. He reminds me a lot of Josh Linton. Despite our pasts, I consider him a dear friend.

Friendship is a vexing concept. It escapes some, thrives in others, while makes messes out of the rest of us. My friendship with the author has been nothing short of a love-hate affair. We’ve shared some of the more memorable moments of our lives together, but we’ve also been, virtually, at each others throats. Spacial distance, though, combined with life as it has come to us, has left our friendship dangling in midair. Unfortunately, that often happens. But I think we both know that there exists something deep inside our friendship that brings it back to earth despite the distance.

Late last night, though, I got an email from him encouraging me to read Descending Hubris. So I did, on my phone of all devices. It was long, but he had me. I wasn’t really able to sleep thereafter. After talking to my wife this morning about the coffee she made yesterday afternoon, and discovering that it was decaf after all, I am now certain that I know why I couldn’t sleep last night. When something churns inside of you, and you are really internalizing and digesting it, you can’t sleep. That was me last night.

I encourage you to read it. It may not sit well with you. For some, it most certainly shouldn’t. I empathize with his sentiments. It is a place I’ve been. You might have been there too, or, you may be there and are wondering what to do. You may be one he is about to pass on his way down. You have something to consider on your ascent. Either way, there is a living message here. Take his advice. He is a sharp guy. You would do well to think intently about the story he tells. It is not for the faint at heart, though, so let me advise you to proceed with caution.