Weakness

Ever had a problem that you just can’t seem to get rid of? Maybe it’s a bad habit that you can’t kick, or a lack of resources or ability that you just can’t overcome. We’ve all been there, and unfortunately, this is not a post about how to overcome those things. In fact, in many ways it’s just the opposite.

It seems that in my line of work, the obstacle is the norm. Let’s just call the obstacle what it is, weakness. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said or thought, “If I only had all the budget I need… If that person would just volunteer… If I could just overcome this struggle in my life…” In fact, when I look back over my life, it seems like it’s plagued by one sort of weakness or another.

Now, don’t misunderstand. Certainly there are plenty of successes. God has brought me through dark times. We’ve overcome obstacles, prayed through trials, and won some battles along the way. There is plenty of victory to be had. But often, it’s victory in spite of weakness, not victory over it.

The Biblical understanding is summed up for me in Paul’s statement in 2 Corinthians 12:9. “Power is perfected in weakness.” Paul had a thorn in the flesh—something that plagued him. He prayed that God would relieve him of it, but God instead told Paul to trust in His strength. Not His strength to remove the thorn (whatever it was), but His strength to use Paul for His glory—not Paul’s.

So that brings me to the place where I wonder if some of the parts of me that are broken, lacking, weak, will ever be completely whole. What would I do if I didn’t have any more struggles with sin? What if all of the resources I needed were there? Would I rely on God for each breath, each step, each moment? Or would I trust in the sufficiency of my own resources? The question is really rhetorical, I know the answer, because I know me all too well. But God does too.

So I am weak. I struggle with sin. I don’t have even close to everything I need to do the tasks that God has called me to do. He is strong. He is perfect. He is the creator of the universe, and He has no lack. So today I choose to trust in His strength, His righteousness, His resources, and not my own.