#13 The Weakness Of Our Strength

(“Thoughts I Want To Leave Behind” is a collection of thoughts and impressions I want to leave behind as I begin to make my final pastoral transition.)

#13 The Weakness Of Our Strength

The problem with having confidence in the strength of our will and talent is that eventually these strengths can become some of the greatest barriers to the work of God in our lives.  Living and ministering out of a place of self-defined strength will create a false confidence in your abilities to accomplish the will of God apart from the power of God.

Jesus said to Paul, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” Paul’s response to these words of the Lord was delight – “So now I am glad”.  Paul also said, “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” He knew he could experience real strength because in his place of weakness Jesus promised that He would be faithful to show up with a merciful display of His power.

Over the years, you will be told to develop the areas of your greatest strengths.  This is just the opposite of what Jesus would ask of you.  He would say, “Develop the place of your greatest weakness.  This is the place where I will be able to do my greatest work in you.”  I think the Lord would say this because in those places where you feel the weakest, God will not have to deal with the barrier of your pride when He approaches your life with an offer of wholeness.

It will be in these places of restored brokenness that God will raise up your ministry and reveal your destiny.  If you let God develop your weak places you will be able to say, like Paul, “So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”