"And He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.' Therefore, most gladly, I would rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me."
I heard this verse a couple weeks ago during a sermon and have wrestled and pondered it since. It logically goes against most ideologies that most people believe. It completely goes against everything I believe, from a humanistic, earthly perspective. I am a highly competitive freak...pounding the life out of the other side is one of the qualities I pride myself in. The idea of being weak, vulnerable, or a 'target' is simply unacceptable. But not in God's eyes; but interestingly, as I began to ponder and wrestle with the idea...God revealed some interesting things about His character, and about weakness vs. power.
So, I begin then...what is the power of Christ? What is this power that is gained from weakness? This power that is so desired, that Paul is willing to suffer bondage to pain in order to attain such power. What is this power?
The Greek meaning for this form of power is "ability"...His grace is sufficient for us, He is able when we are weak. So I began looking at some other passages to attempt to get more insight. Even in the Old Testament, God reminds His people of His power. In 2 Chronicles 32:7, He says, "Be strong and courageous, do not fear or be dismayed because the King of Assyria, nor because of the vast army with him, for the Power with us is greater than the power with him." For their power was vested in armies of men, really in numbers [vastness], but Israel's power was in God's dominion, in His ability to do anything that He willed (including destroying the King of Assyria and his vast armies).
This reminded me of a great scene from Prince Caspian. Aslan's whereabouts were unknown, so the Narnians decided to wage war to defend themselves and take back the kingdom (which was rightfully theirs) on their own. Slaughter, and defeat, seemed to be the continued outcome...and the final battle was seemingly going to end the same way. The Telmarines had vast numbers and were intent on destroying the Narnians completely....
But the faith and courage of one little girl named Lucy helped secure the Telmarines defeat. How much bigger and stronger and powerful the Telmarines must have felt when the reached the bridge...only a small little girl with a small little knife stood between them and victory. What they failed to realize, was that in her [and the Narnians] weakness, great power stood. With only one command, Aslan brought destruction to the Telmarines. 'Be strong and courageous, My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in your weakness'.
What must Lucy have felt standing there as the entire Telmarine army charged right at her. Did her stomach begin to churn? Did her breath quicken? Did her heart feel as those it was going to pop out of her chest? Or that her legs would collapse from under her? In those fears and insecurities and weakness, she stood...unwavering, unmovable. For she knew where her power came from.
There's another interesting lesson in regards to the power of Christ that is present throughout The Chronicles of Narnia. Colossians says, "Live a life worthy of the Lord...growing in the knowledge of God and being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might...giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints of the kingdom of light." Peter, Edward, Susan, and Lucy walked as Kings and Queens, with the understanding that they served a much higher power...for the power of Aslan was always revealed in their weakness...if not only to atest to the his magnificent power. We too carry the same power as the Kings and Queens of Narnia, leading and guiding people to the light of Christ, protecting the young, the weak, and the elderly, fighting the good fight; but we too are subject to a higer power that is Almighty God. But when we kneel before our King, He enables us. When we are weak, in any and every aspect of life, He is the strong power.
While I still want to see Payton Manning win a new ring every year, or absolutely love watching Misty-Mae and Kerri destroy every country in the world, or even enjoy a good episode of COPS where the bad guy gets his a#$ kicked...I can know fully acknowledge that I have been called by God not to be weak, but to be God-powered.
I heard this verse a couple weeks ago during a sermon and have wrestled and pondered it since. It logically goes against most ideologies that most people believe. It completely goes against everything I believe, from a humanistic, earthly perspective. I am a highly competitive freak...pounding the life out of the other side is one of the qualities I pride myself in. The idea of being weak, vulnerable, or a 'target' is simply unacceptable. But not in God's eyes; but interestingly, as I began to ponder and wrestle with the idea...God revealed some interesting things about His character, and about weakness vs. power.
So, I begin then...what is the power of Christ? What is this power that is gained from weakness? This power that is so desired, that Paul is willing to suffer bondage to pain in order to attain such power. What is this power?
The Greek meaning for this form of power is "ability"...His grace is sufficient for us, He is able when we are weak. So I began looking at some other passages to attempt to get more insight. Even in the Old Testament, God reminds His people of His power. In 2 Chronicles 32:7, He says, "Be strong and courageous, do not fear or be dismayed because the King of Assyria, nor because of the vast army with him, for the Power with us is greater than the power with him." For their power was vested in armies of men, really in numbers [vastness], but Israel's power was in God's dominion, in His ability to do anything that He willed (including destroying the King of Assyria and his vast armies).
This reminded me of a great scene from Prince Caspian. Aslan's whereabouts were unknown, so the Narnians decided to wage war to defend themselves and take back the kingdom (which was rightfully theirs) on their own. Slaughter, and defeat, seemed to be the continued outcome...and the final battle was seemingly going to end the same way. The Telmarines had vast numbers and were intent on destroying the Narnians completely....
But the faith and courage of one little girl named Lucy helped secure the Telmarines defeat. How much bigger and stronger and powerful the Telmarines must have felt when the reached the bridge...only a small little girl with a small little knife stood between them and victory. What they failed to realize, was that in her [and the Narnians] weakness, great power stood. With only one command, Aslan brought destruction to the Telmarines. 'Be strong and courageous, My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in your weakness'.
What must Lucy have felt standing there as the entire Telmarine army charged right at her. Did her stomach begin to churn? Did her breath quicken? Did her heart feel as those it was going to pop out of her chest? Or that her legs would collapse from under her? In those fears and insecurities and weakness, she stood...unwavering, unmovable. For she knew where her power came from.
There's another interesting lesson in regards to the power of Christ that is present throughout The Chronicles of Narnia. Colossians says, "Live a life worthy of the Lord...growing in the knowledge of God and being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might...giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints of the kingdom of light." Peter, Edward, Susan, and Lucy walked as Kings and Queens, with the understanding that they served a much higher power...for the power of Aslan was always revealed in their weakness...if not only to atest to the his magnificent power. We too carry the same power as the Kings and Queens of Narnia, leading and guiding people to the light of Christ, protecting the young, the weak, and the elderly, fighting the good fight; but we too are subject to a higer power that is Almighty God. But when we kneel before our King, He enables us. When we are weak, in any and every aspect of life, He is the strong power.
While I still want to see Payton Manning win a new ring every year, or absolutely love watching Misty-Mae and Kerri destroy every country in the world, or even enjoy a good episode of COPS where the bad guy gets his a#$ kicked...I can know fully acknowledge that I have been called by God not to be weak, but to be God-powered.
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