The Thief of EverythingSample

At first glance, Paul’s words here feel a little uncomfortable or even unnatural. To boast? To brag? To be prideful of anything? Isn’t that the direct opposite of what we’re supposed to do as Christians? That’s when we have to give Paul’s words a second glance. He’s not calling us to boast for the sake of boasting. He’s not even calling us to brag or take pride in ourselves. No, as followers of Jesus, our job is to boast in that and that alone! If we’re going to take pride in something, it’s in the things God’s given us. If we’re going to brag or call attention to something, it’s in all God has done in and through us. If we’re going to boast, we’re going to boast in the Lord. Part of that call includes celebration—the antidote to jealousy!

When we choose to celebrate what God is doing in our lives, we’re boasting in the right things. It’s not about how we measure up against someone else; it’s about how we choose to find our identity and pride in celebrating what God has done for us. Today, write this verse down somewhere you’ll see it often. When you come across it, let it be a reminder to celebrate the work of God in and through your life.