2 Corinthians 12:9-11
New Life Version
9 He answered me, “I am all you need. I give you My loving-favor. My power works best in weak people.” I am happy to be weak and have troubles so I can have Christ’s power in me. 10 I receive joy when I am weak. I receive joy when people talk against me and make it hard for me and try to hurt me and make trouble for me. I receive joy when all these things come to me because of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
It has been a while since I have posted on this blog. While there has been the familiar urge every now and then, I have refrained. The reason being that I have felt so weak at times. And only a strong person should have something to say, right?
Well, a thought that has been circling my brain for a couple months, just plopped itself right down and made itself at home this afternoon...
I know that everyone must feel weak and worn down and out at times. In fact, my whole blog is about acknowledging the ups and downs of life. The ups generally are never hard to handle. The downs almost always are. So, as I have struggled with my own sense of weakness, I have noticed strength in others. There are particular people in my life in whom I see enormous strength. I have often sat back and just thought "wow." How do they do it? Where do they find that strength?
If I were to tell each of these people how strong they appear to me, I'm betting they would look very surprised. Maybe they would think I didn't notice the difficulties they have faced, or the hard times they are going through.
Of course, I have already given it away by mentioning 2 Corinthians 12:9. There is definitely some strength going on. But it is not our own. I find it very interesting when one claims to be strong, without admitting weakness, that makes it sound like one is strong all on their own.
I realize, of course, that my weakness is no weaker than anyone else's weakness. The power of Christ in me is just as strong in me as I see it in others. I am weak. All of me needs all of Jesus. I don't want someone to see strength in me without seeing weakness in me. The strength is not my own - He is all I need.
