Monday, June 16, 2014

Perfect in Weakness

Here it is, ministry season again. And here I am, feeling weak again.

Like, way weak.

My back went out on Wednesday. For no apparent reason. And by "out" I mean no walking, sitting, or standing without pain. I spent all Wednesday afternoon prostrate upon my bed. Thursday I visited the chiropractor, and sat most of the day, except for the 2 hours I spent flat on my back in the late afternoon.

Weak.

And why?

I really don't have an exact answer. But, here is what I do know.

Friday I had the opportunity to spend hours teaching a group of teenage girls how to teach the Word of God to children. And this week we are running a VBS together.

I love teaching. I think you could even say I have a gift for it. I love facts and sharing those with others. When I am teaching is when I feel most alive.

But, God reminds me graciously (almost every year) that it isn't about my mad skillz, but it is about Him and His glory and enabling.

I need Him. He needs me empty of myself and dependent on Him.

So, He lays me flat on  my back. Where all I can do is look up and pray. Where I know there is nothing I can do to heal myself. Where I know that if this week is going to happen, it is only going to happen because of Him.

His strength made perfect in my weakness.

His grace sufficient.

His glory shining through this cracked pot and (physically) broken vessel that is me.

"Without Me you can do nothing."

Amen!

"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then am I strong." (1 Corinthians 12:10)

Can't say that I am quite to the taking pleasure part yet, but I get the heart behind this....

I think I am taking most of the rest of the week off from blogging. I will be using my writing time to study for VBS. Pray for me, and have a lovely week!