Boasting and Humility - Encouragement Café - November 4, 2014

Boasting and Humility

Café Menu for Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Today’s Special is: Humility Changes How We Boast

Carefully prepared just for you by your friend, Angela Mackey

Main Ingredient:

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

 2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV

Entrée:

 “Mom, as Christians we are not supposed to boast like, ‘I am a Christian and I am so much better than you,’” my eleven-year-old asserted at dinner.

“Right, but how are we supposed to boast?” I asked.

That question echoed in my heart and mind. How do boasting and humility work together? Do I, like Paul, gladly boast of my weaknesses? Or am I a white washed tomb like a Pharisee? What if I boasted in my inability to stay disciplined? I never can accomplish all that I need to in one day. Perhaps then, when I exhibit great discipline in some area of my life, others would know that it is not from me, but from God. He would get the glory.

Does my Facebook page and Twitter account look like my real life or the life I want to portray? Am I boasting in my accomplishments without mentioning how God opened doors and I simply followed? Or perhaps I act like I have it all together and hide my weaknesses so I can get the glory instead of God.

“What if,” I nodded to my children, “we are supposed to boast more like, ‘Look at what God did for even me – a weakling, a sinner, a liar, a judgmental woman (whatever fits). If He could do that for me, He could do it for you, too.’”

Perhaps it is time for us to boast a bit about our weaknesses so God can be praised.

Take Out:

How can you boast about your weaknesses that God may get the glory without glorifying disobedience in your life?

Dessert:

Father God, I know apart from You I can do nothing. Help me to gladly share my weaknesses and struggles so when victory comes You may receive praise and glory. Help me to boast in what You have done for me, not in anything I have done. May I constantly point to You in all I say and do. Amen.

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Originally published Tuesday, 04 November 2014.

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