This morning Jere and I played racquetball left-handed. It sure felt awkward hitting with our off hand but after awhile things got just as competitive. We chose to play with our weak hands due to the tendonitis lacing through his right forearm. And somewhere in the middle of our second game, Jere remarked that we were at least ‘strengthening our weak areas.’ And I had to stop and think about that. And you know there was deeper benefit than just pain relief.
As I survey the landscape of my Christian life and remember many who have walked beside me, I am reminded of some who have ‘lost the faith’ and by all appearances are no longer living a life of belief. And I wonder. Could these have ‘lost their faith’ through the disillusionment of trying to live a life free from imperfection? Could they have thought a life without weakness possible when this world has been so infected by sin?
When was the last time you heard the preacher acknowledge any personal struggles from the pulpit? Or the people next to you in the pew speak of their wearisome marriage? Or believing colleagues talk of an inclination toward porn, their desire for someone’s wife, or their inability to control their anger? How difficult it is to admit struggle and difficulty or even that some things are yet to be resolved!
May you be encouraged in your weakness today! It is in this failing that God shows up and becomes obvious.
My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness. Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. 10 Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size--abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
As I survey the landscape of my Christian life and remember many who have walked beside me, I am reminded of some who have ‘lost the faith’ and by all appearances are no longer living a life of belief. And I wonder. Could these have ‘lost their faith’ through the disillusionment of trying to live a life free from imperfection? Could they have thought a life without weakness possible when this world has been so infected by sin?
When was the last time you heard the preacher acknowledge any personal struggles from the pulpit? Or the people next to you in the pew speak of their wearisome marriage? Or believing colleagues talk of an inclination toward porn, their desire for someone’s wife, or their inability to control their anger? How difficult it is to admit struggle and difficulty or even that some things are yet to be resolved!
May you be encouraged in your weakness today! It is in this failing that God shows up and becomes obvious.
My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness. Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. 10 Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size--abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
-Steve Brubaker, Residential Ministries
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