Lessons From Garfield

To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue. All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. The Lord works out everything to its proper end— even the wicked for a day of disaster. The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. (Proverbs 16:1-5, 18-19 NIV).

It was the middle of June in 1978 that Garfield, the fat, lasagna-eating cat created by Jim Davis, first appeared in a comic strip. Few people who read the comics have not been amused at Garfield’s antics, however we can learn some things from him. He epitomizes pride and arrogance. It is not a virtue to be emulated! Solomon was very clear about the destructive influence of pride in our text this morning.

David Rhodes said it another way: “Pride is the dandelion of the soul. Its root goes deep; only a little left behind sprouts again. Its seeds lodge in the tiniest encouraging cracks. And it flourishes in good soil: The danger of pride is that it feeds on goodness.” It is a clear warning to us. Another man also known for his wisdom, Benjamin Franklin, settled on thirteen virtues, including the following: silence (“Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation”); frugality (“Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; that is, waste nothing”); industry (“Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions”); and, tranquillity (“Be not disturbed at trifles or at accidents common or unavoidable”). He set up a book with a page for each virtue, lining a column in which to record “defects.” Choosing a different virtue to work on each week, he daily noted every mistake, starting over every thirteen weeks in order to cycle through the list four times a year. For many decades Franklin carried his little book with him, striving for a clean thirteen-week cycle.
As he made progress, he found himself struggling with yet another defect. “There is perhaps no one of natural passions so hard to subdue as pride. Disguise it. Struggle with it. Stifle it. Mortify it as much as one pleases. It is still alive, and will every now and then peep out and show itself…even if I could conceive that I had completely overcome it, I should probably be proud of my humility.” How true!

A U.S. Air Force transport plane with its captain and 5 crewmembers was flying over Alaska in the mid-50s when they entered an unusually fierce snowstorm. The navigator contacted an air base only to be told that he had veered several hundred miles off course. Correct coordinates were given to the navigator, who continued to insist that his own calculations could not be that far off. Soon the plane ran low on fuel. The six men decided to abandon the plane and parachute to safety, but because of the -70 degree Fahrenheit temperature and winds that gusted to 50 mph, they were all frozen within minutes of hitting the ground. As a result of the navigator’s pride, 5 other people went to their deaths. “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise.” (Proverbs 12:15). Perhaps you need to pull some dandelions out of your “garden” today. Begin by focusing only on Christ as your comparison. Then thank God for all the gifts He has given you, physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. Admit that without Him your really are nothing at all.