March 08 - Bragging

As you may know or not know about me, I am a North Carolina fan and have been since around the ripe  age of 10 (which consequently was the same age I was saved). Saturday night, UNC played Duke at the Dean Smith Center. Earlier this season both teams played at Cameron Indoor Stadium, and Duke won. Saturday night on the other hand, the Tarheels came out on top.

Students at school realize I am a Carolina fan. What they are also starting to recognize is that I don't brag when my team wins. I do this on purpose. I would gladly boast and brag about any Carolina win, but I realize a few things:

1) I have nothing to do with UNC's program (beyond being a fan).
2) Fans that obsess and dwell on their team are not fun to be around.
3) Boasting in a sporting event doesn't gain me anything.
4) There is something bigger worth bragging about and that something is God's love.

After a game, I focus on shedding as much positive light on the situation as possible. I mention the opposing team's good characteristics. If Carolina loses, so what? Yeah, I like Carolina and want to see them win, BUT those players are going to survive and live to see another day (if the Lord see's fit). It's like they say, "it's just a game".

Standing among a few of my students yesterday, the topic of the game was brought up. Somebody actually questioned me on why I wasn't rubbing it in or bragging about it. I simply said, "there's only one thing I boast about and I can't do that here at school". The only thing we have a right to brag or boast about is our God and what He has done for us. Sure, you can say that God caused North Carolina to win that game, but let's be serious. I really doubt God is playing us like a video game...I think He's got bigger things going on that are way more important.

Galatians 6:14

14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ...

Such a simple verse to live our lives by. No matter how much money we make, no matter if our team wins, no matter the car we drive, no matter the square footage of our house, no matter how many friends we have on facebook, no matter what...nothing is worth boasting in, except for Christ Jesus. We are blessed in so many ways. If something goes well, we take credit and hold our head up high like we are perfect and great. When things go south, we point the finger and play the blame game. If something goes right or wrong, our attitude and behavior should reflect our relationship with God. Our goal and objective is to bring glory to Him.

Looking back on yesterday, maybe I should have revealed the only thing that I boast in to those students. Sometimes, I get so caught up in the fear of causing strife and risking losing my job. What I need to realize is that God will take care of me no matter what happens. Of course, I'm not going to preach the Word to my classes, but if someone asks, is it not my responsibility to give them a truthful and accurate answer?

Two pages later, Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - 9 not by works, so that no one can boast."

No one could or can do what Christ did for each one of us. I could go take a beating and get strung up on a wooden cross, but honestly, it would just be murder. Through Christ's crucifixion, we are given life. We have a purpose and we have celebration in His resurrection. Eternal salvation is offered and freely given to those who believe. Anything less than God's love is not worth boasting in...

Nothing is greater than God's love.