Bragging rights

For us guys, sometimes bragging rights is just a part of being a guy.  Whether it's arm wrestling, ping pong, the fastest car, whatever.....we kind of get a kick out of being able to claim bragging rights.  Perhaps it's in our genes.  Perhaps it's part of that macho thing.  Maybe because we live in a competitive society it is just part of the culture.  Whatever it is....we like bragging rights.....even when we deny it.

For the discerning man, one who has, or is making an attempt to be a follower of Christ, taking that walk is sometimes just plain tough.  Especially so as we try to blend our faith into all of the facets of our daily lives....our work, our relationships with those outside of family, our family relationships, and strangers we come in contact with.  It, at times, almost makes us feel kind of like chameleons doesn't it?  Truthfully, how consistent are we in differing sets of circumstances?  Are we one man here, and another there?

It is kind of a conundrum isn't it?  We claim to love the Lord and be a follower of Christ (perhaps only somewhat consistently), and yet in certain circumstances those around us who don't know us would have no idea of our claim.  That is a part of failing Him....in many cases daily.  It is a part of our brokenness that seems to plague us if we are really thinking about it. 

It's kind of hard to truly claim bragging rights on our love of God if any of the above is true isn't it?  It would be outwardly and openly contradictory in such a way as the world could see it.   Does that make you feel bad?  Here are a couple of outs on that one:

• we can lay a solid claim on bragging rights on our brokenness as men
• AND we can honestly and fully claim bragging rights  about God's love for us in spite of that brokenness....because it never, ever, fails.

That is the kind of bragging right that you can openly carry, share, and embrace at all times and with anyone.