A Chance to Boast

So now here we are in a state that we can’t boast or celebrate any of our good deeds, because it’s not the outward deed that matters, but what you are on the inside.

On Saturday, a guy was raking leaves at my neighbor’s house. I sat in my car, about to drive away, and I saw his rake snap in half like a dead twig knocked down in a storm. He looked at it for a second and then continued raking, bent over with his broken rake. I jumped out of my car and ran to the side of my house and gave him my rake and told him to keep it.

When I got home half my yard was raked and the rake was leaning against the side of the house.

If my neighbor would have asked that guy, “Where did you get that rake?” the guy would point to me and shrug. If my neighbor asked me “Where did you get that rake?” I’d point to some of the dozens of Jr. High kids that have come over and raked in our neighborhood and then left their rakes behind as a gift.

If I can’t even boast in something as simple and cheap as a rake, then how can I boast in something so priceless and important as my righteousness?!

If I can’t even claim ownership and wisdom of selecting and purchasing an eight dollar rake then how can I claim ownership of performing and discerning great acts to achieve my righteousness before God?

The fact is, our only hope is to welcome Jesus into our midst, let Him work, and then use the tools (rakes or hope or joy) that He freely leaves behind.

And at the same time, claim no ownership of those tools (rakes or hope or joy) so that we can quickly share them with those in need.

So now here we are in a state that we can’t boast or celebrate any of our good deeds, because it’s not the outward deed that matters, but what you are on the inside.On Saturday, a guy was raking leaves at my neighbor’s house. I sat in my car, about to drive away, and I saw his rake snap in half like a dead twig knocked down in a storm. He looked at it for a second and then continued raking, bent over with his broken rake. I jumped out of my car and ran to the side of my house and gave him my rake and told him to keep it.When I got home half my yard was raked and the rake was leaning against the side of the house.If my neighbor would have asked that guy, “Where did you get that rake?” the guy would point to me and shrug. If my neighbor asked me “Where did you get that rake?” I’d point to some of the dozens of Jr. High kids that have come over and raked in our neighborhood and then left their rakes behind as a gift.If I can’t even boast in something as simple and cheap as a rake, then how can I boast in something so priceless and important as my righteousness?!The fact is, our only hope is to welcome Jesus into our midst, let Him work, and then use the tools (rakes or hope or joy) that He freely leaves behind.And at the same time, claim no ownership of those tools (rakes or hope or joy) so that we can quickly share them with those in need.