“My
grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
On behalf of my family, I want to
thank my Green Hill Church family for the love shown toward us in the recent
loss of my grandma. She was a special lady who was loved by all and will be greatly
missed. The last several days have been emotional. My heart rejoices knowing
that she’s at home with the Lord, yet it grieves and mourns that she is no
longer with us. This experience has caused me to become more aware of my own weaknesses.
I’ve realized, yet again, that I’m not invincible and untouchable. I’m fully human.
Human strength often deters us from
trusting in Christ. When we try to rely on our own strength, resources, and
know-how, we are assuming that we can handle situations without help from God.
As such, we can easily become guilty of creating two categories in our lives:
problems that we can handle on our own and problems that require God’s help.
Certainly, this is misguided because we are always in need of God’s help.
Indeed, we are not as strong as we may think we are.
The Apostle Paul was painfully
acquainted with this truth. The Bible teaches that he had spent the first half
of his life trying to rely on his pedigree, education, know-how, and skills.
But, this would change once He encountered the risen Christ on the Road to
Damascus. You see, God has a way of getting our attention.
2 Corinthians 12:7 teaches that Paul
was afflicted with a thorn in the flesh. God, in His sovereign grace, purposely
chose not to disclose specific information regarding this thorn. The intent was
not for us to compare our life to Paul’s, but to humbly recognize our need for
leaning on the everlasting arms of God. We are human beings with very real
limitations, and God has a way of using our limitations to bring us to the end
of ourselves and to remind us of our constant need for Him.
Paul had performed miracles in the
name of the Lord, even raised the dead; but he could not remove the thorn. God
graciously used a thorn to usher Paul into His dependable arms. Paul’s
perception of his own strength caused him to neglect to rely on God’s strength.
It was only in his weakness that he came to fully trust in God and learn of His
sufficient grace. Perhaps, God is doing a similar work in your own heart and
life right now.
God’s power and grace is sufficient as
we care for an aging parent. God’s grace is sufficient when we grieve the loss
of a loved one. God’s grace is sufficient to face any trial or circumstance in
life. What’s most important is that we allow our weakness to drive us into the
sufficient grace of God. For when we are weak He is strong!
Serving Together,
Pastor Brett
