She was my former dermatology resident and followed in my career path securing the dermatopathology fellowship position I completed when I left the university. It was now ten years since we both completed our fellowships and she was a successful dermatologist with a thriving dermatopathology laboratory. She reached out to me because she wanted a new associate to help with the dermatopathology workload in her business.
She rolled out the red carpet, flying me first class to her home, in a major city in the Southern United States. She and her husband met me at the airport and whisked me away to her dermatology clinic, giving me a quick tour of their impressive facilities. All was going very smoothly until we reached her office.
“Have a seat.” She motioned to a chair that was positioned in front of a double-headed microscope. “So…I have some slides that I would like to review with you.”
I was more than a bit annoyed. I was her previous instructor in dermatopathology when we were both at the university. Now, she was giving ME a test? I swallowed my pride, attempting to hide my disdain, and proceeded to review the microscope slides that she presented to me.
“Good…good!” she chirped, as I rattled off the diagnoses.
I was incensed because I thought I deserved special treatment because of our past relationship. In hindsight, my former resident was treating me as she treated all applicants. She later apologized for the test and jocularly confided, “I knew you would easily pass!”
In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.
Psalms 10:4 (NIV)
How often have I wrestled with my pride? For so many unsettling encounters that I experience, my pride always seems to lead the way. Is it any wonder that when my mind is filled with resentment, there is no room for God? This was not a test from my former resident, this was a test from God and I failed it.
How desperately I need my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to replace the pride of my life with the love of my God.
Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.
The Bereans Blog 