Strength in Weakness!

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 about my weaknesses, so that Christʼs power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

Our human nature abhors any kind of weakness. We love to project the image of strength and self- sufficiency. When sin came, we lost our total dependence on God and began trusting in other man-made devices. Unfortunately, nothing else outside of God will work, and no devices set up by man can guarantee sufficiency. You can have the best savings plan and still die a pauper. You can be well built physically and still never enjoy perfect health. There is a major factor in our lives that we cannot do without and that is the grace of God.

How does this grace work- it has nothing to do with ability, qualification, association or position. No one can earn it with currency, or strive for it by force. No man can qualify for it by good works or by being exceptionally nice. First of all, it comes from God, never from man. It has nothing to do with what man calls luck. God looks at us, knows we are weak and cannot help ourselves, so he extends grace to us. It is not about seasonal help; it is about help that is available all day long and all year round. Like every gift, we can embrace it or reject it; the choice is ours.

When you deal with God, forget everything you think you know about life. Self says fight for yourself; Grace says you cannot help yourself. Self says you have to hustle for everything you want; Grace says it is not of him that runs, but of God who shows mercy. Self says I can; Grace says God alone can. That is why Grace can make a man rejoice in his weakness. He knows he cannot do it by himself, he knows there is no ability of himself, so he relies totally on God for everything.

Paul here had come to that point- nothing in me can push me closer to God, except Grace. Nothing in me seeks after God. But when Grace speaks, everything falls in place. My weaknesses become God's springboard for miracles. God takes those things that I have given up on and makes them the raw materials for miracles.

Can I boast in my weaknesses? Can I emphasize my inadequacies so I can enjoy the fullness of God's Grace? Am I a willing vessel through which Christ can display his power, might and greatness? Remember, life itself belongs to God and it must be lived for the glory and praise of Him who owns it. His time of favour is here.