Shining into the Brokenness

 

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,

justice and righteousness

                 in the earth.

For in these things, I delight,

     declares the LORD.

           Jeremiah 9. 23-24

Boasting in the ancient Hebrew

   means pretty much the same

--that in which one glories, 

         praises, and celebrates.

   What shines in our lives? 

On whom is the spotlight centered? 

      On God or ourselves?

In any worldview,

   boasting in oneself is

            sheer arrogance.

Giving God the glory

   changes us on the inside

and alters the trajectory

     of our work, our loves,

     and our lives.

O LORD,

May the desire of our hearts

   be to delight in knowing You.

Shine through us

  into this broken world,

bringing Your healing, grace

          and glory here.

May we know, understand

          and love You

   a little bit more each day.

Reveal Yourself

     in and through us.