Pride bombs vs encouragement bombs

I just read an FCA devotional that talks about how athletes like me and a few of my friends, can get that sense of wanting self-glorification, or wanting others to give us praise. Even when we're not on the field, I know that I personally, am very guilty of this. I've tended to, during my conversations with people to be bragging about things that I've done, instead of lifting the other person up. I don't like that. I want to lift the people I talk to up about the things that are good about them. The devotional talked about how we are always seeking this encouragement, and praise, but even if we get it, we have done nothing to glorify God. What glory to God is there when you seek out praise? We should be living our lives to show off God, and not our own talents.

There is a song that says
"I will not boast in anything
No gifts now power, no wisdom.
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection."

This verse of the song makes me think of how we can tend to boast in the things we do. It also makes me think that I no longer want to glorify myself, but boast in the fact that Jesus did the one thing that no human that has ever lived other than Him of course, could have done. I want Jesus to be my boasting. I also want to lift you all up.

That's going to be my goal for the rest of high school, and hopefully the rest of life. To constantly lift everyone up. No matter if they love me, hate me, don't know me, or any other way. That's one way to show Christ to other people. When you build them up, especially when the world wants to tear them down, they notice that you're different. That's one thing I can say of my good friend, Zack. He is great at building other people up. He's been reaching out to this guy who I've become friends with, and Zack might be one of the only people I know that can constantly, even if he doesn't feel well, building other people up. He's done such a great job of showing Christ to this one guy, and to others as well, that I know God is very pleased with this work. It is very encouraging to know that it can be me doing that. I just need God's help to do so. I want the love of Christ to shine through me like it has through Zack. Love you, brother.

My friend Kendall is gifted with her sports. She does sports because she loves them, but I know in her mind that she's trying to show people how Christ has affected her life in every way. She's very talented with what she does, and I've never heard her boast about it. That's encouraging to see. I've never seen her play before, but I know that she does great. She just wants the world to know Jesus the way she does. I know she's going to continue playing for the Lord, and I know that through this, people will see her love for Christ, and that Christ is the reason she's such an awesome person off the field/court as well. Love you, sister.

I think that over the coming weeks, that I will post about a certain friend, just telling the great things that they do. There are so many friends that I have that love the Lord, and they are all great at something. They show Christ so well to their friends, and I know they want others to know Him too.

I just want to say I just had a great week where the friends that I met are good at dropping encouragement bombs. They rock, and I hope to see them all again.

I love you guys
TJ

P.S. My life bangs