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.
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January 2019
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