By Nita Wilkinson, Faith Editor

I was nearing the end of a 10-mile run as I came upon a young man in his 20s running in front of me. His cadence was comfortable, and he had yet to break a sweat. The competitive nature in me said, “Come on; you can beat him.”

Mind you, we are going up a hill, he is at least 25 years younger than me, and while I don't know what mile he is in, I have completed eight.. I'm a hot, sweaty mess, tired and ready to be done on this hot, humid Saturday.. Oh, and did I mention, I am not naturally fast anyway.

So I pour on the "speed." And do you know what? I passed him. I was in front of him for one whole block when I turned right because it was that or fall on my face. Thankfully he kept going straight. So yes, I beat a young man in his 20s.

Do you want to know the funniest part? I am willing to bet that this young man had no clue I even existed, let alone that he was racing. He was doing his thing, probably having his morning run without the added benefit of pride and foolishness.

I was pretty wrapped up in my ego at that moment. Yes, I beat the guy, for ONE block. But there was no race, I can assure you, had there been, I would have lost. But some piece of me said I need to beat this kid, and so, I did, sort of.

For a fleeting moment, doubled over trying to breathe, I basked in the fruit of my victory. And then, I threw up. Yep, pride is fabulous, isn't it?

As I reflected on my ridiculous race that wasn't actually a race, I realized the issue wasn't running. It was wisdom. Wisdom would have reminded me that I had nothing to prove. Wisdom would have told me to run my own race and let the young man run his. Instead, pride took the wheel.

Pride attached to foolishness creates a level of chaos that limits my ability to reach the kind of relationship I want with Jesus. It doesn't allow me to be the example we are called to be because pride and folly make it about me. It's supposed to be about Jesus.

I yearn to be holy, and I know that God wants me to be holy. This particular action shows just how far I am from holy.

How do I make it about Jesus? What steps do I need to take to grow closer to holy? One important quality of holiness is wisdom. Proverbs is full of verses touting the importance of wisdom. Proverbs 8:22-31 links wisdom to God's very character, even before He created the world. These verses provide a glimpse into the "depths before they were formed," showing wisdom already existed.

“When he assigned to the sea it's limit so that the waters might not transgress his command when he marked out the foundations for the earth, then I was beside him, like a master workman, and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always.” Proverbs 8:29-31

Before the world was even considered, there was wisdom. Do you know who else was there? Jesus, the very embodiment of humility, was connecting with that wisdom too.

"Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28

Jesus lived his life with complete humility and service, also characteristics of holiness.

His wisdom came from before the world formed. Though fully human and facing real temptation, Jesus consistently chose humility, service and obedience.

”For pride is spiritual cancer: it eats up the very possibility of love, or contentment or even common sense." C.S. Lewis

That particular day, I did not choose wisely. I let pride lead my thoughts, and it was all about me. When I decide to make it about others, I find the wisdom and humility that Jesus lived every day. I find myself a little closer to Him, a little closer to holy.

I know that on this side of heaven, I will never reach complete holiness. I also know my pride and foolishness keep me from even coming close to being sanctified the way I cherish on this earth. If I want to reach that level of sanctity, wisdom tells me I need to know the difference between what feeds my pride and what feeds my soul.

Every day I strive to feed my soul. And I pray that through Bible study and intentional time with my Savior, I will find the wisdom I need to feed my soul and starve my ego. That I will find a piece of that holiness I long for. ■