How to write a humble Brag Sheet

Oh, the things you learn
when seeing the teen years
the second time around
through your child's experience.

I remember applying for college
and part time jobs with fairly
light hand and many fields
left blank on the form.

I simpy didn't have
much experience to put down.
Nor did I really need any
since I was young and starting out.

It seems that is no longer
how it's done.

Now they have something
called a, "Brag Sheet,"
which must be filled out.

I guess it's a resume of sorts,
listing all those things in which
you've been active and involved
with a few references tacked on.

This gives you something
to hand to the college recruiter
or job interviewer if you have
no concrete expereince,
but have been on committes,
in organizations, finished projects,
or received honors or awards.

It's a list of things you brag about.

Different day, different culture.
I guess I'm just still stuck
in the days of self doubt.

Because...
I have a hard time getting past
being told not to brag on myself.

But this is a new culture
of self-confidence which
replaces those days of
self-doubt.

I wonder if these types of
things cycle through again...
kind of like fashion.
Will self-doubt come back
into style in another 30 years?

I wonder what the image culture
of the day was back in Jesus time?
Or even Paul's day?

Boy could they have written
great Brag Sheets!
Have you ever read about
the big boast list Paul displayed?
It actually seems a bit sarcastic.

But there were some false teachers
on his day who paraded
around handing their "Brag Sheets"
to the newly established churches

These men boasted
of all they knew,
had been taught.
Paul saw these men as trying to
lead the churches away from
the truth that he had taught them;
the true gospel of Jesus.

And Paul realized that he was a
better write, than he was a speaker.

So he actually made light
of himself after these men
stood about boasting in all
their amazing credentials.

This is how he compared himself...
But whatever they dare
to boast about...
I’m talking like a fool again,
I dare to boast about it, too.

Are they Hebrews?
So am I.
Are they Israelites?
So am I.
Are they descendants of Abraham?
So am I.
Are they servants of Christ?

I know I sound like a madman,
but I have served Him far more!
I have worked harder,
been put in prison more often,
been whipped times without number,
and faced death again and again.

Five different times the Jewish leaders
gave me thirty-nine lashes.
Three times I was beaten with rods.
Once I was stoned.
Three times I was shipwrecked.
Once I spent a whole night and
a day adrift at sea.
I have traveled on many long journeys.
I have faced danger
from rivers and from robbers.
I have faced danger
from my own people, the Jews,
as well as from the Gentiles.
I have faced danger in the cities,
in the deserts, and on the seas.
And I have faced danger
from men who claim to be believers
but are not.

I have worked hard and long,
enduring many sleepless nights.
I have been hungry and thirsty
and have often gone without food.
I have shivered in the cold,
without enough clothing
to keep me warm.

Then, besides all this,
I have the daily burden
of my concern for all the churches.

Who is weak without
my feeling that weakness?
Who is led astray, and
I do not burn with anger?
2 Corinthians 11:21-29 NLT

What?!
This doesn't sound like
any Brag Sheet I've ever seen which
would get someone noticed.
Not in a good way at least.

And it's not like Paul is
looking for sympathy.

For when we get down to
the very last few sentences...
I am completely blown away.

As if none of those
are bad enough
to be his burden...
as if none of those have caused
him enough pain, or suffering,
his DAILY burden is for
the people in the churches
which he planted.

Who IS this man?
If I had suffered even one or two
of those things, I'd have milked it
for all it was worth.

I'd have gone home,
sat in my pity party
crying out to God...
Why don't you love me anymore?

But Paul is bragging, even boasting,
of these things which have
happened to him.

He knows it is because of persecution.
He knows it is for the cause of Christ.

If I must boast,
I would rather boast about
the things that show
how weak I am.
God, the Father of our Lord Jesus,
who is worthy of eternal praise,
knows I am not lying.
2 Corinthians 11:30-31

And he is so very sincere.
Who does that?!
Who?

Do you know anyone like this today?
Have you ever encountered
a single soul like this?
The more I read of him,
the more I'm amazed.

That's when I consider
how weak I am.
But not in a godly way.

In becoming weak for Christ...
I have far to go.

In learning to be faithful,
I have much to learn.

When I read of Paul's willingness
to suffer, then brag humbly about it
in order to boast of our Lord,
I am astounded.

Word of God
train me today...
To remain humble always
in my service to You.

To brag only about my weakness,
giving You glory for providing
​strength through me.