It may not surprise you, but I have not been to a high school reunion. 10 years have come and gone since I graduated high school. In fact it has been over 16 years, to be exact. I sometimes think about what I would say to my fellow alumni, given the opportunity, about what has transpired these 16+ years. I would assume, in attending such functions, there would be talk about accomplishments and achievements in one’s career, especially as the years of life go by.

In looking back at my high school year book, what was communicated to us was the following: “High school is a direct person to person invitation from the gods of youth to you. Don’t worry about what your parents want you to be or what your teachers want you to be. Worry about what what you want to be – because the person you’re becoming now is the person you’ll be for the rest of your life” (pg. 3). So what did my fellow classmates become? What has been their accomplishments and achievements? In what would they boast about?

As a Christian we are never given the liberty to boast in one’s achievements. The prohibition to do so is stated clearly in Proverbs 27:2 (NAS)-

2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips.

But we do find one place in Scripture where we are given the “green light” to boast. Surprised? It is found in Jeremiah 9:22-23 (NKJV)-

23 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;
24 But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord.

Did you catch that? “Boast of this, that he understands and knows Me.” That is the invitation not from the “gods of youth” but from the only wise sovereign, One true God to you and me. “Understand and know me…for in these I delight.” As we look around those whom God has called, we see a crowd the world would not identify and call wise, mighty, noble (see 1 Cor 1:26-29). But you, my beloved are called to understand and know God – glory in this. So how are you growing in knowing and understanding God, my beloved? With boldness and humility we can be the ones to say not only to our children, but to those whom God puts in our midst who may not know him, and say to them, “I know God.” Would you like to know Him? Can I tell you of His lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth? “I know God, the God of the universe, isn’t that amazing? By His doing I know Him and most importantly He knows me.