Pastor’s Corner: “Weakness and Strength Exposed”
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT) – 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
When crisis come into our lives, the reality of our hearts and our weaknesses are fully exposed. We might think that we are doing pretty good and making spiritual progress in our lives, but a crisis experienced will always strip away the misconceptions, self-denial and self-deceptions we can have. Crisis can jolt us into reality rather quickly and at times it can be shocking, shaking and difficult to face our failures and weaknesses. Exposure is always wake-up call. When we think we are depending fully on God, suddenly the truth of what we have been relying on is revealed.
This week has been crazy and for some of us, is still not over. I don’t know about you, but when I was abruptly and without warning facing 30 degree weather without power, water, grocery stores closed, restaurants closed and gas shortages, my first response was to grumble, complain and look for someone or something to blame (our normal response when something we take for granted is taken away). It was inconvenient, uncomfortable and not knowing when things were going to be restored was frustrating (sound familiar). But after a day and when I was able to reflect, what bothered me the most was my heart and response to this crisis. My dependence on God was revealed to be weaker than I thought and my weaknesses were exposed. How is it that we cannot handle a week of hardship compared to others who endure for years? I don’t know about you, but I do not like to have my weaknesses exposed. Father, please forgive us.
Weakness simply demonstrates what has been true all along: we are completely dependent on God for life and breath and everything else. Weakness is not the end for us, but a new beginning, because weakness provides the context in which true strength is found. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:9 that he’ll boast in his weakness. It sounds weird and crazy when you first read it, but it’s not. He has come to know that God’s “power is made perfect” in his weakness. Weakness is not what you and I should be afraid of. We should fear our delusion of strength. Strong people tend not to reach out for help, because they think they don’t need it. When you have been proven weak, you tap into the endless resources of divine power that are yours in Christ. In our weakness we can experience strength that we have never known before.
We often have this expectation that things will never change. We believe that we will always be strong, safe and healthy. There is little room in our life, family, and ministry plans for weakness within or trouble without. There is no room for any disruptions at all. This is clearly a delusion. So much of the way we think about ourselves and how we plan is based on the unrealistic expectation that we will continue to escape the regular disruption of life and plans that happens in a world that doesn’t operate as God designed it to operate. Your responses to the situations in your life, whether physical, relational, or circumstantial, are always more determined by what is inside you (your heart) than by the things you are facing. This is why people have dramatically different responses to the same situations of difficulty. This is why the writer of Proverbs says: Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. (Prov. 4:23)
After I was able to repent, my heart changed and how I saw things changed. Not only was weakness revealed but strength in the Lord! What I was able to see in the community was amazing and encouraged my heart. Neighbors were helping neighbors and families helping those who could not help themselves with water, heat, food, gas and most especially with love. After talking with you all, I heard story after story of God’s goodness and love shown through people. Fruit of the Spirit in the middle of a crisis! Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) – 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! People were not only taking care of their own families (very important) but helping with their neighbors. That which is most important is revealed if you are willing to have your spiritual eyes opened. It is not power, water, food or gas, but people. Love of and for the people God has put into our lives. This is what will last when everything else falls away.
You all are such a blessing!
Love,
Pastor Hamilton