Bragging rights!

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were influential, not many of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things, and the things that are not to nullify the things that are so that no one may boast before Him. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

We live in a world today where people are consumed with love of self and self promotion. If we aren’t lifting ourselves up, we are lifting up our children, grandchildren. organizations, or businesses with the intention of earning bragging rights. It seems we’re always seeing stickers on cars that brag about something. Often the sticker is associated with a child’s honor roll status, a particular sport in which that child or grandchild excels, a promotion for a business, or a political statement. It’s human nature to want to share pride in or for something.

A sense of brag, as it was called in the 17th century, arose to mean declare or assert boastfully. Webster defines it these days as the entitlement to boast about something or a temporary position of ascendancy in a closely contested rivalry.

The closely contested rivalry happens for this household tonight. Tonight is the night The University of Georgia and The University of Alabama come together in a contest for bragging rights in the National Championship game. There is so much hype over this game no matter who plays, but this year is special!

Our Bulldogs have already lost once this year to the Crimson Tide, and as staunch Dawg supporters, we feel that the time has come for a win! There is a sense of allegiance that everyone feels to our own personal alma mater, but honestly, we would love nothing more than to win bragging rights for our Dawgs this year!! I’ve heard it said that nobody likes a bragger, but just this once, it surely would be sweet!

The only person I can recall who could get away with bragging about Alabama around Randy was Grace Bunke. How can you argue with an allegiance such as she had for the Tide? There was a special kind of sweet rivalry they shared, and even bragging rights were allowed between them.

It’s so easy to fall into the bragging trap even though it might start innocently enough. It seems that even in Jesus’ day people liked to brag. The above scripture reminds us that God didn’t choose those of wealth or power, the statesmen, or the orators to publish the gospel of grace and peace. He judges what men and what measures best serves the purposes of His glory. God doesn’t need us to brag about ourselves or our team, and He probably doesn’t like bragging at all unless we are bragging about Him and what He is doing.

In the 1950’s the question was asked on a game show, “What do people fear the most?” The answer then was polio, communism, nuclear annihilation, and not being loved. If we asked that same question today, the answers would probably be COVID, corrupt government officials, the power grid, pollution, and not being loved.

No matter the time, people fear not being loved. If we need to brag about something, let’s brag about the fact that God loves and accepts us. Eternal life starts right here on earth. Everywhere we turn His love surrounds us. When we brag on His love for us in our prayers and our life, conversations will open for others to see and feel that love.

The other question people long to be answered is, “Can I be forgiven?” In this life, we often do or say things to others that we regret. It would be wonderful to be able to brag about our power to forgive those who have wronged us by word or deed and to be assured that they would do the same for us.

We can brag about His forgiveness. God sent Jesus to do what we can’t do for ourselves. On the cross, He forgave us all our past, present and future sins. In Christ, we are put right with God, made holy, and set free.

This world seems to be set on dividing us, polarizing us, and underscoring our differences, but God’s people understand that it’s not necessary for people to believe the way we do in order for us to love them. It’s not necessary for the world to act like we do. We can brag about God’s people and how they serve Him.

This world isn’t bragging about the right things. Rather than bragging about our accomplishments, our wins, or our material possessions, let’s try bragging about God’s love, God’s forgiveness, and God’s encouragement. Then, the world will know we are Christians by our love, encouragement, strength, and forgiveness.

A big apology to all our Alabama friends and relatives, but we have to say, “Go Dawgs”. It’s not bragging (yet) just encouraging!!! Hopefully, when the dust has settled after this game for the ages, the chapel bell will ring all night long!!

We are one in the spirit, we are one in the Lord; And we pray that our unity will one day be restored; And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love; Yes, they will know we are Christians by our love.