As a male, I have been conditioned by my culture to be strong. When life gets out of my control, I get anxious and agitated. I feel weak; and I don’t like it. Paul tells us that “God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty, foolish, the base things and despised, that no flesh should glory in His presence” (1 Cor. 1:27-29, paraphrased).
Are these the words you like to hear about yourself—weak, foolish, despised, abased? Yet that is how God stocked the early church! Later, Paul explains how God puts the treasure of Jesus in earthen vessels (humans) so it will be quite evident the power is of Him and not us (2 Cor. 4:7). In a culture that promotes power and independence, it is not natural, or easy, to embrace weakness.
Nonetheless God says to Paul "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” And then Paul replies “most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me… I am well content with weaknesses… for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong… If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness (2 Cor. 12:9-10; 2 Cor. 11:30). OK—time for a reality check. When is the last time you honestly boasted about your weakness (and not in false modesty or feigned self-deprecation)?
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