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But he said to me, “My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. | 2 Corinthians 12:9
Most people ride the waves of this life without a thought to why the tides turn. Ups and downs and the occasional sideways turnaround constantly bombard us. It gets tiring though!
Can I get an Amen?!
But luckily, Jesus Christ has set the stage for a much better life than we could have imagined. In fact, some might say that He does exceedingly and excitingly above what our minds can possibly conceive!
I know that I’ve experienced it; I’ve literally seen it unfold before my eyes. In many grand moments, which were the culmination of the Holy Spirit’s patient and persistent work, I’ve tasted and seen that the Lord is good despite my deficiencies. But the sweetest of realizations is that all along the way I have been deficient, and yet He has been working. So the real truth is that
the “exceeding” and the “exciting” is happening always!
Paul concludes that he is content with “weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities.” My question is this: When has your life not been plagued with such things? Life is filled with such struggles, but strife arises when we begin the long, arduous swim upstream against raging rapids. I must conclude that I am not strong enough, that I never have been, and that I never will be, which is the beginning of a wonderful journey.
The moment I let go of any illusion of strength that I think I have, I am swept away by “love so amazing, so divine, it demands my soul, my life, my all.” (When I survey the wondrous cross, Isaac Watts).
I quickly realize that
a path has already been paved.
I’ve been trying so hard, for so long, all for naught, because there is only one way! A way of victory and freedom despite my unfaithfulness and ineffective efforts. Jesus Christ paved that way quite literally with blood, sweat, and tears.
And so it becomes clear that I have the distinct privilege of following Him down a glorious path. It becomes clear that as I commit, I am emboldened by the power of the very Spirit that rose my Savior from the dead! It becomes oh so clear that my deficiency, my weakness, is a welcome reminder of the victory and strength that I have in Him!
So glory in your weakness, acknowledge the perfection of the Cross, and walk this life with His Strength.
AMEN!!! Haha loved this post, Vinay! And especially this part: “the sweetest of realizations is that all along the way I have been deficient, and yet He has been working.” Ain’t that the truth! So thankful that He patiently & lovingly takes the time to sanctify us! May we boast in nothing else but in the cross of Christ, His boundless love for EVEN US, & His mighty power to save!