An almost boast

As the apostle Paul has made clear, no one will boast before the Lord. Yet some people become a part of the Lord's activity in ways that give them a story that may almost be envied. Two that I read about today are Simon the Cyrene and Joseph of Arimathea. Think about Simon: here's a guy just caught up in the happenings of the day, returning from the market, and chosen from the crowd to carry Jesus' cross. I imagine this was against his will, for who wants to be on the sharp end of a Roman crucifixion process? Why was he chosen? Did Romans have racial animosities toward blacks (as Cyrenes would have been)? Was it because of his size (I assume this was a physically demanding charge)? Or was he simply in the right place at the right time? When Mark wrote his gospel, Simon was known to the readers, as demonstrated by his description as ''the father of Alexander and Rufus.'' This makes me think that this event had such an impact upon him that it resulted in his eventual conversion. And what a story that would be: ''I carried Jesus' cross! I was chosen by God to serve my Lord in his hour of greatest need.'' Or would this humble me beyond measure? Such an honor and others more worthy...I didn't even believe at the time, didn't know what I was doing...now I would count it an honor, then it was an inconvenience...I'll never boast before the Lord.
Think also of Joseph of Arimathea: He identified with Jesus even after the apostles had fled, risking reprisal from the council of which he was a leader. He honored the man, Jesus, with a significant contribution, for a hand-hewn cave is no meager gift, and this upon his death, when no credit was likely forthcoming--a sincere effort. What a story that would be: ''I laid Jesus in the tomb! I stood for him at his hour of need.'' I wonder if I'd feel honored to use the tomb after my own demise, like Spurgeon delighting to sit in the chair of John Gill upon his first visit to New Park Street Church. Or would this humble me beyond measure, knowing myself to be unworthy of occupying a space that had once housed the Savior of the world? Would I feel ashamed when I recounted the story...I refused to follow Jesus openly when I had the chance...I honored the memory of a dead man and thought it was the end...I believed him to be no more than a misunderstood man of God...I'll never boast before the Lord.
Praise the Lord for his mercy! The best we can do is an almost boast.