Strength
in Weakness
By Lexi Cole Ellis
That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in
hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak,
then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10 (NIV)
2015 is the year I learned about weakness…definitely not
what I had planned! But there were a couple situations this past year where it
felt like there was a no-win; I was keenly aware of my inability to fix them. There
was time learning about my weakness in terms of mental health…researching and
exploring options for pursuing wellness. Then there was Priscilla Shirer’s
study on the Old Testament Gideon that I did for my quiet time each day with
God. [1] The tag line? “Your Weakness…God’s Strength.” Oh, and then
a sermon series at church about sacrifice, and one of the points was how God’s
strength is revealed when we are weak. [2] Yup…learning about weakness was
certainly a reoccurring theme for 2015.
Isn’t it funny how we instinctively hate weakness? The
lengths we go to cover our tracks, put on a façade, do whatever we can to avoid
seeming weak to others…or to ourselves? And yet, “God’s power is best revealed
in my weakness.” [2] I confess I’d rather have the opposite. Couldn’t others
marvel at my strength and then I get to give God the credit? Maybe God knows my
heart too well and knows how easy it is for my pride to take credit when I feel
powerful.
Yes, God’s power is most displayed when I’m weak.
Scripture is filled with God using people’s weaknesses…and displaying His
strength…when they allow Him to work through them. Moses was called to lead the
people…when he didn’t feel gifted in speaking. Because of Moses’ weakness,
God’s strength was revealed in and through Moses. Gideon was told he had too
many men for his army…that there needed to be a small, “weak-in-comparison” force
so their victory would clearly reveal God’s power. The apostle Paul begs God to
remove a trial or flaw, yet shares in the verse above that his weakness allows
God’s strength to shine through.
2015 is coming to a close. I’m not sure what lessons 2016
will bring. But as we enter a time of resolutions, recommitments and new goals,
let us fight against hating and covering our weaknesses, and be willing to
allow God to use them to bring His Name glory and honor.
GOING DEEPER:
1.
How do you feel about your weaknesses? What do you need
to do to change your opinion?
2.
Start praying for God to use your weakness to display His
power. Make the words of Jason Grey’s song “Glow in the Dark” your prayer
today. (Click HERE to listen to it.)
FURTHER READING:
Lexi
and her husband, Andrew, have an adorable dog named Calvin. Lexi teaches sixth
grade at Silver Lake Intermediate School. She serves with Children’s Ministries
and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.
[1] Shirer, Priscilla. Lifeway. http://www.lifeway.com/Article/bible-study-priscilla-shirer-gideon-weakness-strength
[2] Enlisted: The Courage to Serve. http://www.oakwoodnow.org/resources/messages.html
