That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor 12:10 (NLT)
STRENGTH SERIES – PART 6
Paul was a man with many strengths. Through the NT accounts, we see that he spoke with confidence and that he was tenacious, patient and determined. Even during imprisonment and the threat of death, Paul’s trust and faith in God remained solid. He was strong and through his willingness, he has done much for all believers.
But at the beginning of 2 Cor 12, he asks us not to think of him more highly than we ought to. He wants us to see the entirety of his life, the ups and downs, things said and done – the whole story, not just a snapshot of his public moments. Paul was sent a “thorn in his side”… there’s a lot of commentary around what this ‘thorn’ was, but at the end of the day, it kept Paul reliant on God. It’s this weakness, Paul says, that made God’s power rest and take up residence within him.
It’s not the exertion of human strength that makes a perfect home for God’s power. It’s the space created by weakness – our humanity and natural frailty – that gives room for the power of God to abide in us. His strength is perfected and completed IN our weakness, not in spite of it. Jesus cannot fully show the extent of His wonder and grace unless He does so through a broken vessel. 2 Cor 4:7 says “We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.”
We all have strengths, but we also have weaknesses. We don’t need to shy away from them, cover them up or wish they weren’t there. Our weaknesses are paramount to our faith journey. It's through our frailties that God shows a world obsessed with winning that lasting power does not depend on human force, but in the supernatural strength of Christ. A weakness is not a weakness when God fills that gap with his strength and light. More often than not, it’s the moments where our weaknesses are revealed and God’s strength is displayed that tells the redemption story more clearly and beautifully. Embrace them and you’ll find the embrace of Christ’s strength.
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