August 22, 2012
Oh, no! She’s awake!
Mary Southerland
Today’s Truth
2 Corinthians 12:9 “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.’ “ (NIV)
Friend to Friend
For many years, I did everything I possibly could to hide or erase any weakness in my life. When that didn’t work, I simply pretended that those weak areas didn’t exist. Why? Because if I was weak, how could Jesus love me? How could anyone love me? How could I love myself?
When our son, Jered, began to walk, I immediately noticed that his feet turned inward. Our pediatrician recommended a specialist who examined Jered thoroughly, then ordered several x-rays. The more he examined Jered, the more concerned we became. When the specialist finally called us in for a consultation, we braced ourselves for bad news … just in case. The doctor’s stoic face revealed nothing but his diagnosis was a gift. “There is nothing wrong with Jered’s feet,” he said. “They are simply the feet of a natural athlete and were designed to give him great balance.” What we feared as a weakness, an obstacle to overcome, was, in reality, a great strength and part of the Master’s plan for Jered who graduated from college with the help of a football and academic scholarship.
The same is true in our lives as children of God. We were created by God, according to His plan, in love and with purpose – weaknesses and all. "God in heaven appoints each person's work.” (John 3:27 NLT) We tend to view our weaknesses as liabilities. However, since our worth does not depend upon us in any way, we can and must be honest about our weaknesses, knowing they do not diminish our value in the heart and mind of God but can, in fact, become the areas through which God does His greatest work.
Instead, we try to ignore weaknesses, hoping no one will notice. We live in denial, assigning blame to others when we fail. Eventually, we attempt to bury our weaknesses only to find them resurrecting themselves when we least expect it. A powerful life embraces pain, brokenness and weakness and understands that perfection is for Heaven, not Earth. The words of Paul are profound, “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong” (1 Corinthians 1:27 NIV).
When we are honest about our weaknesses, we are conceding the fact that only God can accomplish anything good in or through us. God’s power is instantly recognizable in obvious weakness. God has always allowed man’s weakness to validate the immeasurable need of His redemption and His sufficiency in our lives. He can and will use us if we allow Him to do so – not despite our weaknesses – but through our weaknesses. We are not the message – just the messenger. Our weaknesses are not excuses to escape God’s plan but divinely appointed opportunities for that plan to work.
Noah was a drunk.
Abraham was too old.
Isaac was a daydreamer.
Jacob was a liar.
Leah was ugly.
Joseph was abused.
Moses had a stuttering problem.
Gideon was afraid.
Sampson had long hair and was a womanizer.
Rahab was a prostitute.
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young.
David had an affair and was a murderer.
Elijah was suicidal.
Isaiah preached naked.
Jonah ran from God.
Naomi was a widow.
Job went bankrupt.
John the Baptist ate bugs.
Peter denied Christ.
The Disciples fell asleep while praying.
Martha worried about everything.
The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once.
Zaccheus was too small.
Paul was too religious and Lazarus was dead!
(Author unknown)
More important than where you have been or even where you are, is where you are headed. Don’t wait until you have it all figured out. That won’t happen, this side of Heaven. Don’t wait until you think you are good enough. You never will be. Step up to the plate and be the imperfect you; allowing God’s perfection to shine through each and every weakness. Do not listen to the doubts and lies of Satan. His goal is to render you helpless and defeated, no longer a threat to him or his kingdom. I recently told a friend, “I want to get to the place in my walk with God, that when my feet hit the floor each morning, the devil says, “Oh, no! She’s awake!” I know I have a long way to go, but join me in the choice to embrace weakness and pain, allowing God’s strength and restoration to shine through each broken place.
Let’s Pray
Father, right now, I yield to the truth that I am weak and You are strong. Forgive me for the arrogance and pride that makes me think I can do anything good on my own. Keep me broken, Father, and on my face before You. Please use the broken places in my life to let Your light shine through.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
- Make a list of the weaknesses you see in your life.
- Read the story of Gideon in Judges 6:1 – 27.
- What was Gideon’s response to God when God called him to serve? What is your usual response to God’s voice?
- Whose strength accomplished the task God called Gideon to do? How can you relate that to your own daily life?
More from the Girlfriends
For years, I struggled with not being good enough. Many of my hopes and dreams were lost or paralyzed by doubt and fear … until I found myself in a clinical pit of depression where God taught me so many life changing lessons. No one can take my place in the Father’s heart. I am indispensable to no one but God. I will never be “good enough” but my relationship with God does not exist because of good works, nor will it be sustained by what I do. Instead, He lives through me and I live by His power. Do not let the enemy backhand you with the lie that you are nothing to God. Girlfriend, you are everything to Him. Go for it!
Need help?Check out Mary’s weekly online Bible Study, Light for the Journey. The current topic is “Stop! Drop! Roll!” Learn how to set goals and priorities that honor God and give you peace and purpose. Join now and have access to all of the topics covered in 2012.
And be sure to drop by Mary’s online store where you will find MP3 downloads, CDs, Video downloads and E-Book Bible Studies that will equip and empower you to live a life of victory. Connect with Mary on Facebook or through email.
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Originally published Wednesday, 22 August 2012.
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