Day Three Hundred Forty-Nine “Balloon Head Fred”
My junior church children would all giggle whenever I would share this silly story with them. The tale centered around a little boy named Fred. Now Fred had a problem, he was very handsome, talented, and personable…and he knew it. All the girls would sigh whenever Fred would enter a room, and he certainly would strut about enjoying the attention. But a strange thing happened to Fred…his head started to grow…and grow…and grow, to the point where he was given the nickname Balloon Head Fred. Fred was delighted to be invited to the birthday party of the most popular girl in his classroom; no wonder he was invited, for after all, he was the best. But as he entered the crowded, festive room, he lost his balance, slipping on some spilled soda. Splat, Balloon Head Fred fell, and great was the fall. His head quickly deflated as he was embarrassed before his peers; Fred was abruptly introduced to humility.
Many people fare better when dealing with adversity than balancing the burden of success. When worldly successes such as celebrity, wealth, achievement, and power enter the lives of those who don’t know how to deal with it, that success can be the door to their demise, just as it was with Balloon Head Fred. A young shepherd boy, David, had experienced a stunning and dramatic victory over Goliath, a huge hulk of a man, who had defied “the armies of the living God.” David was immediately conscripted into the king’s service, brought in to live among the royal family, and scheduled to marry King Saul’s daughter. The solitude of the shepherd’s life, the silence of the of those peaceful hillsides, was suddenly replaced by the pomp and noise of a palace, along with a multitude of admirers who would sing his praise. Overnight, David’s life was turned upside down. How easy it would have been for David to allow his sudden fame and popularity to go straight to his head. But I love a thought from Scripture that defines this young man’s spirit in the face of success: “And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.”
David understood that all his successes, his abilities, and the rich blessings bestowed upon his life found their source in his God. David knew that deep down, he was “a poor man, and lightly esteemed.” It is little wonder that God looked upon David as “a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will.” Beware of becoming Balloon Head Fred; stay humble, especially when basking in success.
James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Lord, humility is a wonderful asset, but difficult to maintain. Keep my heart humble in Your presence.
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