Boast in Christ!

As a surfer, there have been many waves that looked intimidating at first, but after paddling and going for it, the rides ended up being the most thrilling and incredible experiences I have ever had. With adrenaline pumping through my veins, I paddle back out to the line up as fast as I can to hopefully get another wave just like that one. These exhilarating waves are the waves surfers live for--making you wish someone saw your ride. I have often found myself boastful after a wave that I paddle back out while calling out to my friends, “Did anyone see my wave?!”

Aside from having fellow surfers to celebrate this stoke with, the majority of my thoughts and words were boasting in how great my wave was. I wanted others to be impressed with my performance.

In the Bible, God tells us that “love is not boastful.” After my wave, I boasted in my performance when I should have paused and thought for a moment. God is the one who created the waves of the ocean, the one who gave me a strong body, and God is the one who blessed me with that great wave. I was blessed to simply enjoy God’s gift. Instead of hoping that someone saw my wave, and boasting in my performance, I should have been boasting in God. I should have thanked Him for the creation of the ocean and for the gift of a fun wave.

As Christians, we are called to love and not to boast. God’s Word also tells us that if we are to boast, then we should boast in God--in who He is and all that He has given us. God is worthy of all glory, honor, and praise, and when we are tempted to boast in ourselves, we miss out on bringing glory to our Father.