The Fist Pump Before the Finish Line

Meghan Rutledge had a comfortable lead approaching the last jump, turn, and stretch of the women’s X-Games motocross 12-lap race.   She accelerated into the jump, launched into the sky, and began pumping her fist victoriously as she sailed through the air.  Doing so caused the front of the bike to tip forward.  She then landed awkwardly, lost control, and crashed.  In the blink of an eye, three other racers passed her on the final stretch and she went from certain victory to a meager fourth place.

(See Video Here)

How heartbreaking!  As the announcers said so well, Meghan Rutledge went “from the pinnacle of joy to the depths of defeat” (ibid).  The worst part about the whole situation is that it was completely her own fault.  She let pride step in the way before she had actually achieved victory.

In 1 Kings 20:11, the king of Israel responded to his prideful enemy with a wise taunt, “Let not him who girds on his armor boast like him who takes it off.”  In other words, one should never claim victory before he has achieved it.  In battle, those who had the privilege to take their armor off were typically the victors of the war.  Meghan Rutledge was boating of victory and it ironically caused her defeat.  In this case, pride literally came before the fall (Proverbs 16:18).

Jesus said in Revelation 2:10 that those who are “faithful until death will receive the crown of life.”  These are people who finish the race and live godly lives until the end.  Some feel their place in heaven is already secured and arrogantly try to coast in with their remaining time in life (1 Corinthians 10:12).  It only takes a moment for our pride to get out of check and cause us to fall.  May we never think we have won the spiritual race before we cross the finish line. 

Let’s learn from Meghan Rutledge’s mistake.  Let’s always keep our pride in check and never celebrate any victory before we have actually achieved it.

LORD, GIVE ME AN HONORABLE AGENDA!

Neal Pollard

A preacher, so bold and decisive,

With bluster and confidence speaks

No matter that his words are divisive

Or that no biblical foundation he seeks

He panders to the people's inclinations

He knows just the buttons to press

For he growls with authoritative intonations

Uses guilt and contempt in excess

He binds without scriptural authority

He calls judgment and expedites sin

With a broad stroke he paints with audacity

In his efforts his own converts to win

Do not look at his practice, hear his preaching

Please don't search for a chapter or verse

Ask not if he's consistent in his teaching

He's got swagger, he's impressively terse

Consistency's a jewel he's discarded

His agenda is what he's crowned king

Sage counsel he has effortlessly disregarded

Accountability seems to him a bad thing

Lord help me be gentle and humble

And a careful and diligent student

To warn others, knowing full well I stumble

Lord, help me be both spiritual and prudent

For the work of the public proclaimer

As a mere servant of the Most High God

Is promoting His Word with no fear or disclaimer

Mindful of where our own footsteps have trod

For the teacher is held to a much higher standard

The leader must account for those led

Woe to men who with smooth speech have pandered

Or who let the praises of men fill their head

Let the public speaker be filled with godly valor

Letting Scripture be the beacon and guide

Avoiding the extremes of cowardly pallor

And self-centered, unmitigated pride.