My natural instinct is to boast about my strengths. Show you the best of me. Be strong. Be independent. Impressive. Controlled.
But…there are days when my weaknesses get the best of me: insecurities resurface and create fear, a sleepless night with a sick child leaves me weary for the day, challenges before me look bigger than I can handle, and my mouth needs a muzzle because self-control has gone by the wayside.
And so I lean into truth. I lean into God. I lean into the memory of his faithfulness and the promise of his presence. I trust that his grace is sufficient to cover all my insecurities. I fall into his rest throughout the tiredness of my day. I surrender my need for self-sufficiency and remember it is God who divided the Red Sea, calmed the storm and conquered death. I run to his Word; I trust his guidance to shine a light on my pride and empower me with grace and peace.
In our weakness, he is strong.
There is no room for self-sufficiency.
If I am to boast, I will boast in my weaknesses.
I am flawed.
I have bad days.
I run on coffee…often.
I can’t do anything on my own.
I am predisposed to perfectionism, which leaves me prone to withhold grace.
Christian character does not come naturally to me.
I need Jesus.
I need a daily dose of his presence otherwise I am an absolute mess.
It is not about living a good life or simply doing the good and the right things.
It is about surrendering, submitting, abiding and trusting.
It is not even about setting weaknesses up on a platform and turning them into a trophy.
It is about boasting in Jesus, whose strength enables us to rise above our weaknesses.
We decrease. He increases. (John 3:30)
It is humility, grace, dependence and trust.
Our Malawian pastors will often lead their congregations in a declaration:
Pa m’mwamba pa m’mwamba Yesu! (Up, up Jesus! – The highest Jesus!)
True power comes from total dependence on the highest Jesus.
The ability to overcome and live above our natural selves and move beyond our natural limitations comes from recognizing our weaknesses and declaring that Jesus is the One who makes us strong.
“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.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
His grace is sufficient.
Let us boast in Jesus.
Let us remain, stay, continue and fulfill God’s purposes through God’s strength…not our own.
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Beautiful, Amy. What you describe is all of our day-to-day battles to stay focused on Jesus and not our own weaknesses and mistakes, or on others’ weaknesses and mistakes. His grace is sufficient but it must be our focus and heart’s desire. I love your writings. They are deep and meaningful and show how powerfully God is working in your life. I am very proud of you.