“Are we all becoming Braggarts?” asks an article in the WSJ. Then it goes on to give examples of just that in every day life. The article says “we’ve become so accustomed to boasting that we don’t even realize we’re doing it, and it harms our relationship to each other.”
Julie Hanks, a licensed clinical social worker, says “We brag because we can, and a lot more people are listening.” Facebook shows this to be true. Now, what should our response be?
I suggest that we read again Galatians 5,22.23. It reads, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Then this rendering by Peterson in MSG of 1 Cor. 13, 4ff.
“Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut.
Doesn’t have a swelled head.
Doesn’t force itself on others. Isn’t always “me first”
Doesn’t fly off the handle.’
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others.
Doesn’t revel when others grovel.
Takes pleasure in the flowering of the truth.
Puts up with anything.
Trusts God always.”
For Christ’s’ children need not brag to build themselves up. Instead, they can sing, “I leave all things to God’s direction.” and mean it. For the Psalm is their trusted guide. It reads.
“I will lift up my eyes to the hills, from whence comes my help.
My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. . . .
The LORD shall preserve you from all evil.
He shall preserve thy soul.
The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.” Psalm 1211.2.8.
So may this ever-present Lord bless your days.
GPD 8/21/12
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