It's okay to be weak.

In the last several posts, I have championed strength.  As a matter of fact, I'm in the middle of another Spirit-filled post about victory.  However, as I reflected today on the weakness I have in my physical body (courtesy of this season's version of "flu"), I realized, it's okay to feel weak and vulnerable and still have strength within you.

Many of us have quoted Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9  (I have often quoted it, myself):

"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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 

But oftentimes, we leave out verse 10, which completes Paul's thought:

"For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

So what does it mean to be weak?  Is it a negative thing?  Perhaps by the world's standards.   Professor Google defines the term as "(1) lacking the power to perform physically demanding tasks; lacking physical strength and energy, or (2) liable to break or give way under pressure; easily damaged."  In society, showing mercy is considered weak, being honest can make you the "weak link," and being physically lacking often is used to describe a person as a whole as "weak."

But, if being weak is lacking in the world, how much more is it desired in the Kingdom of God?

If we are not weak (vulnerable), we cannot be broken and molded.

Jeremiah 3-4:

So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel. "And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do. Then the word of the Lord came to me:  “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the Lord. Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.

If we are not weak, we cannot we be restored and made whole.

Luke 5:5-9 

One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years.  When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?”  “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.” Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking!

If we are not weak (vulnerable), our hearts cannot be open to God's plan:

Luke 1:35-38

"And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her."

Yes, God's mighty power is made greater in our weakness, but perhaps it's when we are willing to be weak, that God can do His greatest work in and through us.  As I have written before, it is through surrender that we gain our greatest blessings and power.  When "we end," Christ begins!  It is in and through right standing in God that we have the ability to tap into our inheritance in Christ.  And, Christ freely gave that right to us at His most vulnerable point in life, His death on the cross.

Strength in Christ is essential and being a warrior in God's army requires a lot of spiritual fortitude.  Yet, even warriors must show their weaknesses from time to time.  It's how truces are made.  Yet, they never lose their edge, their confidence, their readiness, or their focus.  Instead, they let the softer side of themselves be used for a greater purpose. 

Whatever weakness you find yourself in today, rest in knowing that God's grace is sufficient for you and He will carry you forth as long as you take the time to rest in His loving kindness and let Him turn your weakness into His glory.  

sUrrENDer

Have you ever looked at that word, "surrender"?  I've looked at it a thousand times.  It actually has a special place in my heart.  It's one of the first words I clearly remember writing in big letters when I started counseling.  Recently, I thought I'd try my hand at some creative lettering.  I wrote the word in large letters and as I went to go over the vowels in a different color from the consonants, I saw the word in a whole new way.  SURRENDER.  I stopped.  In my mind, thoughts started to swirl around.  I wrote it again. . . and again and again.  Then, since I love to create digital art, I created a new visual.

All I could do was stare at the words that appeared within the word itself.    U END.  Think about it, if you are surrendering, you are giving up some kind of authority, maybe all your authority over yourself or something that belongs to you.  U End.   I've been mulling over that word for a few days.  Then, tonight in our worship service, God flooded me once again with His presence and spoke to me.

"I'll throw my weakness into your greatness."  The  words of this refrain echoed in my head and caused me to sit down, pick up my pen and write.  And again, the words just flowed:

When I surrender my weakness to Your Almighty power, I can do all things to glorify Your Name.  Surrender - "U END" - where I give up the selfish pride, the reliance on my own thinking,  my own strength, and my own belief that somehow I control any aspect of my life.  You, my Lord, are glorified and Your name is made greater through me when I surrender.  

"I am in my Father, and you in Me and I in you." (John 14:20)

There is no room for darkness with the light.  We must surrender the deepest parts of ourselves, the places that hold us in bondage.   

U END.  I END.  God is the beginning of all beginnings.  If He can breathe life into all creation, speak the light into all existence, and raise Jesus from the grave, He can begin a new thing in you.   

It is by His supernatural love that all things are possible; through the ultimate sacrifice, a love offering so great that only life could ensue once the veil of darkness has been stripped away.   

Like the sun breaking through the dawn sky, life awaits.  He's calling you to surrender. 

Don't be afraid.  There is peace on the other side of chaos.  There is life after death, on this side of Heaven.  

Come to Me, all you heavy burdened.  Come, take my yoke as it is light and full of mercy and grace and peace.  Lay it all down at the cross.  Let the redeeming flood wash over you and give you life.  My love is waiting. Arms open wide, with no condemnation or shame.  Your past is as far as the East is from the West; it has sunk to the bottom of the ocean floor.  I see your sins no more. 

The light of my Son's face, shining, gleaming, smiling; saying "they chose Me, Father," is what I see. 

Put on the new man as I have taken away the old.  I have overcome and because My Spirit lives in you, you are a conqueror. 

Take up your rightful place.  Let my love rise up within you and SHINE. 

A city on a hill cannot be hidden. So shall it be with you!  Let your light so shine before men that they see ME.  You shall be free to be who I have destined you to be.  Breathe in my life-giving breath.  Rest in me and trust that I see you!  I know you by your name. 

I am the One who has rescued your soul.  I am the One who has welcomed you home.  I am the one who is Savior of all. 

My love surrounds you.  I am the reason you came, to encounter my Love.  Let the Spirit of My love overflow in your heart, overcome you "like a tidal wave, crashing over you, rushing into to meet you, like  a hurricane that you can't escape, tearing through the atmosphere," My love is FIERCE! 

How can you be lost when I have called you found?  Pursued, chased, sought.  You are loved beyond measure. 

No more shall you hide in the dark.  I have come to bring you life, life more abundant, and in it you will find a peace everlasting, undeniable, overwhelming and complete.   

Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 96:10) and I AM your deliverance.   

The time to sUrrENDer is now.  Don't let the fear of the future hold you back from the glorious destiny that awaits you.  Life begins when you are ready to end.

I'm all in.  Are you?