The Strength-Weakness Paradox

UV 1259/10,000 The Strength-Weakness Paradox
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12 v 9

Instead of being ashamed of our weaknesses, our personal inadequacies, our failings, we can be glad for these are opportunities to avail of the might and power of God in Christ. God is greater, much greater than all our troubles and challenges, all our weaknesses. Whoever we are, we are weak and vulnerable before God even as Adam and Eve who hid their nakedness in shame from God. But God clothed them by making a first sacrifice of animals and using their skin to clothe them. Similarly, by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, His anointed Son, He clothes us with the grace of Christ and the glory of God. All power in heaven and on earth is given to Jesus as God’s suzerain and viceroy. We too as we hold on to our faith in Christ inherit all power in heaven and on earth- spiritual power as well as temporal power is placed at our disposal. Grace provides for salvation and the power to overcome our weaknesses. Grace is a prelude to overcoming and victory.

Many teachers and institutions of this world take great pride in the achievements of their strongest , most brilliant and ablest students as testimony of their own teaching and leadership abilities. But God is one teacher and leader who takes pride in the achievements of His weakest student and follower. He revels in patiently watching over, helping and guiding such a student to success and victory. Hence, like St Paul we need to hold dear or value our weaknesses, our inability, our inadequacies, our shortcomings, our failures, our troubles, challenges and difficulties. We are emptied of personal pride on account of these and everyone will know that we succeeded or overcame not on account of our own abilities, talents or skills but only by the power of God working in us. These are opportunities and openings for God to act and reveal His marvelous strength and power in our lives. Like St Paul we need not to be orthodox, judgemental and reactive but “ paradox” or above all fixed forms, rigid positions and attitudes but flexible, sensitive, responsive and creative. We can affirm with Him, “ When we are weak, then we are strong.”

His grace is abundant. It is sufficient. It is timely and adequate. It will meet our need. He is willing to pour it out in us and help us overcome. God is closest to us in our greatest trouble. He is most intimate in our deepest need. He is both most willing and able to help us as an Ebenezer but we need to be able to recognize the weakness in our character, the thorn in our flesh, the deep need of our soul. We ought not to gloss over it or paper over it or lie about it and put up a brave face, a farce or a façade. We need to avail the power of God, to be strengthened with might in Christ and to so overcome, prevail or endure. The things that we need to overcome,He will enable us to do so. The things we need to endure, He will give us the patience and inner strength to bear with. The things we need to change, He will enable us to change.

Prateep V Philip