Don’t you just love to be in the company of someone who is always bragging about how great they are or what great thing they have done? I’m kidding. Like pushing a Q-tip too far into our ears, there aren’t too many things more painful than having to listen to someone’s self-aggrandizing.
Whether physical features, athletic ability, intellectual acumen, or business prowess, God is the One who has given you the abilities, passion, and opportunities to succeed. So, to the braggart, the apostle asks, “What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” (1 Corinthians 4:7)
When I was in cross-country, some people were fast and others, like myself, were plodders. When I was in wrestling, some were very strong, while others, like myself, were average. In high school PE, one guy could climb the rope to the ceiling of the gym fast, all the while maintaining his legs at 90 degrees. I struggled to just reach the top without using my legs.
Some people are born into wealth, while others are born into poverty. Some people have strong constitutions and never suffer ill health, while others battle debilitating health conditions their entire life. One thing I’ve learned about myself is that I don’t have a mind for business. I’m not using that as an excuse to not learn some things but as an observation. I like working for someone else instead of being an entrepreneur. Others are driven to be the boss, though, to provide employment for the rest of us. One is not better than the other.
One view of our circumstances leads to boasting about ourselves. The other view leads to humility and thankfulness to God and to others. I am grateful that our church merged with Greater Gresham. I’m also thankful the church leadership looked ahead to my retirement and invested wisely. I’m also thankful for my parents and Karen’s grandparents and parents for being generous to share their financial blessings with us.
How about you? What are you thankful for? This isn’t to say that you haven’t worked hard and taken risks to get where you’re at. But God is the One who gave you the drive and opened the opportunities for you. Take some time right now to thank Him.
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