Bragging Rights

Jeremiah 9:23-24 ...Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justrice, and righteousness in the Earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.

Its the middle of football season here in the fine state of Alabama. I find myself amazed by how dominated our culture is by football. Auburn and Alabama are the two rival schools in the state and the energy, money and passion poured into support of the football programs goes beyond measure. My son plays on a 3rd grade team that has there on website, film banks and practices three times a week and oh yeah they play a game as well. Even in my own walk I have to keep my emotions and passion in check during the fall. I want Cal's team to win, I want Auburn to win but I have recently started asking myself, "Why do I want that to happen?" The answer is simple. Bragging rights. As a father I want to talk about my son. As an Auburn graduate, I want to talk about how unbelieveable our quarterback Cam Newton is. It all goes back to who or what we take pride in, and what gives us an identity.

We must take great care to sepearate a game played on a field designed for recreation and the dominate passion of our souls. God's word through the prophet Jeremiah are pretty clear: If you want to brag about something, brag about me! I love the end of verse 24, " I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice and righteousness in the Earth. For in these things I delight. God is all about love, justice and truth. He delights in them, what more could we want? We will find these things only in God, there fore we should brag about His greatness.

I am amazed at the energy and passion that even creeps into my own life about a game. What if all of us who lived in the South who call our selves Christian, poured our lives out for Christ with the same zeal we do for our teams? Would the rest of the country take note? Would they be intrigued about God in the same way they are SEC football?