The Shiny Heinie Club

“When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.”
- Proverbs 11:2

At the lake, one of the most ignoble clubs you can join is the Shiny Heinie Club! Induction involves being pulled violently behind the boat on a tube (or anything) at such a speed that impacting the water rips your swimsuit off and you have to reenter the boat shiny heinie and all.

In my younger days, Wendy and I would regularly go to the lake with three other couples. It was always extreme. We would barefoot ski until I would return home with bruises from my shoulders to mid-thighs. However, I always took precautions to guard against admittance into the Shiny Heinie Club. I would wear long shorts and tie the draw string extra tight every time I entered the water.

One day, I was bragging about my prowess on the water. Brian responded with a smirk that he could throw me off a tube in a heartbeat. I laughed. I entered the water, climbed on the tube and prepared for what would be the most intense ride of my life. Throttle to the max, he was flying across the lake. He would turn and I would swing to the side. At times the momentum would hurl me in front of the boat. Then the slack would catch and it felt as if my arms would be ripped off. On those frantic swings the only way I could stay on the tube was to intentionally barrel roll with it skipping on top of the water. Eventually, after what felt like a lifetime, he hurled me from the tube.

As the boat pulled up to gather me, my entire body was both numb and tingling at the same time. I climbed into the boat. I walked from the back of the boat to the front where my wife sat. No one said a word. It wasn’t till I got to the front of the boat and turned around to sit down that my wife started in exclamation. The shorts I was wearing had a pocket on the back. As I was skipping on the water, the water caught the pocket and ripped the entire back of my shorts off. I could’t feel it because I was beat to a pulp and numb. It was a long rest of the day enduring the hazing of having joined the Shiny Heinie Club!

It is too easy to succumb to pride. We sail along with winds of success and accomplishment powering our progress. We develop a sense of competence. With self-confidence and assurance in our pocket we take the wheel and say, “Watch this!” It is that very self-confidence and assurance that ultimately leads to ripping away our protection and exposing us to shame.

Proverbs 11:2 warns us, “When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom.” Pride led me to believe I was challenging Brian, but I wasn’t. I was challenging a boat that had more power than I could ever handle. It was filled with fuel that would outlast any effort I could ever muster.

How easy it is for us to do the same in life. We think we are dealing with people we can beat, outsmart, outperform, outwit and control. Yet, the truth is we are dealing with powers far beyond our meager efforts. Ephesians 6:12 tells us, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Yet, we want to grab the wheel and say, “Watch this!”

Being humble means seeing yourself as you truly are in the world. Neither greater, nor lesser. True humility is understanding everyday we face powers far greater than what we can see or comprehend. Understanding we can not overpower them on our own. If we try, we will be exposed and left in shame. Humility is coming to the point we realize we need someone else to drive the boat! Someone who cares deeply for us and only wants what is best for our lives.

Humility becomes wisdom when we relinquish control. Walk by faith, trusting in our Lord to work through our lives. No matter how powerful the forces against us may be, they are nothing compared to Jesus Christ. There is no shame to be found when we trust the One who has told us, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

© 2026 Warren Martin. All rights Reserved.