“If You Must Boast…!”

“If You Must Boast…!”
Sometimes it is difficult to draw the line between when talking about self is either motivational or boasting. We all love to talk about the things we know best, and to most of us what we know best is ourselves.
We can use our stories (experiences) as motivations to encourage others or we can use such stories to boast. I looked up the word boast. As a verb it is to “talk with excessive pride and self-satisfaction about one’s achievements, possessions, or abilities.” As a noun it is “an act of talking with excessive pride and self-satisfaction.”
Underneath boasting is “excessive pride and self-satisfaction.” Your achievements, possessions or abilities are acceptable but you do not need to boast about them. The truth about life is that when you look back and see how far you have travelled to get to where you are – wherever that may be – you have to be humbled because some distances of the road were just miraculous!
Whether out of ignorance you know it or not, or whether out of obstinacy and pride you know it and refuse to acknowledge it, the truth is that there is a divinity guiding our paths on life’s journey. A recognition of this leads us to humble submission that we do not understand what God had willed or planned.
You may be wise, but do not boast of your wisdom; you may be struck with amnesia! You may be strong, but do not boast of your strength; you may have a sudden stroke. You may be rich, but do not boast of your riches; riches are like tides, when you least expect it may ebb out. Above all, when death comes, neither wisdom, strength nor riches can save! Our times are in God’s hands!
The Lord says, “Let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who excercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I take delight”(Jer.9:23-24).
Therefore my friend, do not take credit for what could never have been yours without the kindness of a righteous and just God in whom “we live and move and have our being”(Acts 17:28).
Prayer: Thank you Lord for you are the giver of all good things. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!