“If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.”
2 Corinthians 11:30
The last few months have been a season of humbling and growth. Of course, I knew there would be a lot to learn. I knew it wouldn’t all come easy, and yet the temptation to hope I was somehow fitted to the task, that I had the right strengths….
But always rallying strength is wearying. And the effort to hide and cover my weaknesses and only show my strengths felt like a small child straining to push down a mountain.
Then these words from Paul smacked my ego and God’s Spirit breathed the life of truth into me again.
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
I have heard and read these verses many times before, but this time I was struck anew by the phrase: “For the sake of Christ, then I am content with weaknesses.” Can I, should I be content with weaknesses? It seems a little anti-self-improvement-humanist. But if boasting in, not hiding my weaknesses allows the power of Christ to rest upon me, shouldn’t I desire His power upon me more than my flimsy “protection” of my pride?
So what shall I boast?
I am weak and prone to wander. But my God is faithful and and keeps His promise to keep me and finish His work.
I am rebellious and deserve to be disinherited from God’s grace. But He is rich in mercy and bountiful in grace because of His faithfulness, not mine.
I have not prayed at all times, nor laid every burden at the foot of the cross. But God still hears me and delights to answer, because of His goodness.
My imagination has been poor and shortsighted about the amount of God’s love. But His love is infinite, and He keeps calling to me to come deeper in, to taste and see.
As a wife, I lose my patience. I become critical of my husband and hold back. But God softens my heart and leads me in the way of His love.
I am poor. But He is rich.
I am blind. But He is the light of the world, and in Him all things are revealed.
I am weak. But praise God! He is STRONG!
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