Wishing I Could Someday Boast

Scripture: Whatever anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 2 Corinthians 11:21b-23

Observation: In responding to criticism about himself, Paul gets both direct and sarcastic. He gets direct by listing all of his credentials as perhaps the preeminent apostle of the world, not only discussing his background but all the challenges and hardships he has endured because of his boldness throughout the eastern Mediterranean. He is being sarcastic as he calls himself a crazy fool for even saying these things, and what he is really doing is calling out false teachers and church members who have criticized him while self-aggrandizing their qualifications. He is effectively saying, "I am greater than all of them, but I'm not saying so because to promote oneself is foolish and conceited."

Paul will go on to state the one thing he will boast of, which is his weakness, for it is only in overcoming weakness that the power of Jesus can be evident. Jesus doesn't show himself strong because Paul is a Jew, or a learned Pharisee, or even that Paul has been flogged. Jesus shows himself strong because of Paul's conversion, Paul's ability to speak in the spirit despite his shortcomings, and Paul's inner strength through faith while being insulted by others.

Application: I have the ability to make a list much like Paul has done. I was raised a Christian, always attending Sunday School, professed faith at age 16, publicly baptized as an adult, elected an Elder of the church, married to a Pastor, leader of several ministries, coordinator of large evangelistic events over a span of decades, ostracized at work for my beliefs, formally written up and disciplined for proclaiming Jesus, repeatedly publicly insulted for my understanding of God's word, fired due to lies as a backlash for my faith.

And here's the deal ... none of that matters. In fact, I am one of the lesser, weakest Christians I know right now. I have done 'things' but have failed to overcome my weaknesses, and failed to rely upon the Lord to fully assist me in overcoming my weaknesses. The result is a diminishing focus on what is good and right and true, and a pervasive sadness in my life.

This is my goal: To someday add more and more to the things I could boast of - but won't - because I will have a story to tell about the one weakness that the Lord, by his spirit, helped me overcome ... and of that I will boast.

Prayer: Lord, again today I sit here in my weakness, and ask for your forgiveness, your mercy, and your strength. May I find a way to rely upon you today, and not on my own mind and willpower, which always fails. Please, Lord, help me to turn aside from the ways of my own abilities, and rely on you for everything, receiving your guidance in both my work and my leisure. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.