“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
Every job seeker understands the importance of a quality professional resume. Those seeking employment must sell themselves to the perspective employer and the résumé provides a concise summary of applicable boasts. Often, the résumé is the format where applicable skill sets can be highlighted.
The résumé states an applicant’s education and training. It will catalog his career accomplishments. Awards and commendations will be listed in order to distinguish from other hopefuls.
The boasts of a résumé are the traits that an applicant believes represent the value that they will provide to an employer.
Thankfully, we are not expected to prepare personal resumes for those positions that we are inclined toward in our social worlds. However, that does not mean we are not selling ourselves to others. Social circles can be a circus of positioning and posturing for attention and praise. Just because we don’t hand out resumes does not mean that we are without the ability to distinguish ourselves from others.
“Meet and greets” are an interview for potential association and friendship. An oral resume typically flows in response to the question of, “tell me about yourself.” I tend to pick those personal traits that may be of interest in a particular social setting. It comes pretty natural to discuss that which distinguishes us. We all have gifts and experiences that make us interesting. Every person has a unique story. We are individuals and we are distinct.
However, what is your go-to story. When asked to talk about yourself, where do you start?
Are you a Mom? Are you a Dad?
Do you talk about hunting or fishing?
Is it hobbies like gardening?
Does your career define you?
Are you a writer or a reader?
How about a traveler and vacationer?
I have never known anyone who initiated their oral resume with the trait of knowing and understanding God. What would your reaction be if you were to say, “Tell me a little something about yourself” and I responded, “Well, probably the most notable thing about me is that I know and understand God”? It seems like that might come off as a little arrogant.
However, that is what we are instructed to boast about. We don’t have any problem talking about other things that we know and understand. When we offer advice, it is because we know or understand something. Typically, those traits in which we have invested time and energy to understand and know are those things that we appreciate and value. When we are asked to talk about ourselves, we typically go to those things that we value the most; those things that are important to us.
Our go-to story should be that we know and understand God. It will never be arrogant to talk about knowing and understanding God when the explanation is in the context of our experience of God’s steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. True knowledge and understanding of God is not an intellectual achievement that brings glory to man. True knowledge and understanding of God comes from experiencing His steadfast love, His forgiveness, and a transforming of our life through the power of His Spirit. Therefore, appropriate boasting in one’s knowledge and understanding of God will inevitably make much of God.
There is nothing more distinguishing for a Child of God is the fact that they know and are known by their Savior. There is nothing more important about me than the fact that I have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. The most valuable aspect of my life is the gift of my faith. That is the most interesting thing about me; everything else that I could boast about pales in comparison to the grace and mercy that has been shown me. It is because of that divine grace and mercy that I have any knowledge or understandings of the Most High. Therefore, my boast does not distinguish me. It distinguishes Him.
Now, there is a go-to story!
It just makes sense that a follower of Christ’s oral resume should start with, “I know and understand God because He has shown me His steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in my life.”
PRAYER: Lord, thank you for showing yourself to me. Thank you for teaching me about you. Thank you for saving me. Help me to keep my perspective right. May my boasts be a delight to you I pray this in the precious name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
A DEVOTED LIFE 