“6Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?” — Proverbs 20:6 (ESV)
It is easy to say how good I am and how much I love and how I am so devoted. It is much more difficult to act and allow those actions to speak for me.
I use the phrase “it is not boasting if it is true”. Now where that may in itself sound boastful and proclaiming and saying, I feel as though I should clarify. It is not boasting when asked about the actions taken. When asked, we should state factually with data to back it up and not just that we say it so. I use the example of an end of year evaluation. All of the data is posted and called on to say that the work done for the year is of high quality against the targeted criteria. That is not boasting and the information was asked for in the review process.
It is important to act and allow those actions to speak. After all, actions speak louder than words, right. I have to remember to be faithful in all that I do. I have to do the work of God and allow that work to speak. Like this bible study, I feel as though I have been faithful in my study and over the years (since 2016) when I began, I have grown in my depth of knowledge and understanding of God’s Word and my part in His plan. Do I know it all, and am I the expert, by no means, but I have become more understanding and if anything, I have continued wanting to learn more. I do not claim any more knowledge and only want to share what I have learning and ask others to continue their learning as well. This to me is faithful acting and not just speaking that I have done something and looking for some recognition for that which I have said I have done.
What is it that you have said in your life that may not be the full declaration of your actions? Are you speaking things for others to take notice of and grant you some sort of recognition? What if you were to just do the work and allow that work and your actions to demonstrate your faithfulness to the work and stay away from boasting?
Trevor's Thoughts 