When We are Weak

1 Corinthians 12:5-10

On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me. Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul is writing to to the church in Corinth in this passage. He's been through many hardships, but he also has many accolades as a follower of Christ. Instead of choosing to focus on his status as an apostle, he humbles himself and focuses on his weaknesses. For in his weakness, he depends on Jesus so much more. As a matter of fact, he writes that he needs a physical infirmity to keep him humble.

This passage of scripture took on a whole new meaning for me yesterday. Our worship service, yesterday, had some "technical" difficulties and while, yes, the actual technology was being cantankerous, there were also other technicalities at play. We were singing battle songs - we were there and ready for spiritual warfare, but we had no idea the breadth to which the resistance would crop up. There were video cameras that didn't work, and the professional videographer had never see such a problem as this one. There were children who didn't want to cooperate for parents to make it to rehearsal as early as they planned. There were last minute changes to the music set, because it wasn't all fitting together according to plan. There were mics that didn't work when it was time to start, and coffee cups left on tables, and feedback in the middle of the set, and mouths going dry (well mine), and pastors who just weren't feeling it. To say we were a mess is probably an understatement. If we weren't humble before yesterday, I think we all got a good dose. So, I will boast in those weaknesses on my and our leaders' behalf. We were a hot mess yesterday - every single one of us from my perspective.

The beautiful thing about it is that Jesus was exalted through it all! In spite of our weaknesses. In spite of the enemies attempts to completely derail us from praising the Lord - God was present and moving. The Holy Spirit prevailed! He moved through our pastor bringing words of life and conviction. The invitation was extended to allow all to come who wanted to. I love the words of our pastor at the end, "Are we done?" he asked. We could have gone all day, I think. I believe each and every person in the congregation was humbled and open to all that the Lord would have for them. I think at the end of the service, we could have extended it and gone on and on. We were "here for it" as some people say.

We could have allowed our weaknesses to take us down. We could have turned inward and made it all about us, but we thankfully, remembered that it isn't about us at all. It is about Jesus being lifted high. It is about people being saved and sanctified through the Holy Spirit. It is not about whether everything sounds perfect or is said perfectly - or frankly even whether or not we feel like doing any of it. We showed up and were willing to be used, so Jesus did His thing and hearts were changed.

This is a post of thankfulness and also a reminder that weakness doesn't mean you are helpless or hopeless. Weakness makes you ever more dependent on Jesus. When you know you are weak, and He does mighty things through you, there is no other explanation!

So, be encouraged friends! You may be struggling with depression, anxiety, sleeplessness, pain, fatigue, hunger, stress-eating, loneliness, confusion, or any other ailment under the sun, but rest easy, you are not alone. Jesus will be your strength when you are weak. I've never been more convinced then I am today. Stay humble. Boast in your weaknesses, because through them you are depending on the one who is strong, and that is way more impressive than the strongest thing you can do on your own!

Curious to see how this all went down? You can check it out below.

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