So, I will boast all
the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10Therefore I am content
with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake
of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong. –2 Corinthians 12:9
The first televised presidential candidate debate aired
September 26, 1960 between Richard M. Nixon and John F. Kennedy. Actually seeing the candidates rather than
hearing them or reading their words became a game changer in politics. Reportedly Nixon appeared pale and sweaty while
Kennedy appeared robust and confident. Nixon was underweight due to a recent
hospitalization. Kennedy looked the
picture of health. This was significant
for, as the story goes, those who listened
to the debate on the radio thought Nixon had won, but those who watched the debate saw Kennedy as the
clear winner.
The apostle Paul found himself in a similar
situation. Compared to a competing group
of super-apostles, who were stirring things up in Corinth, Paul appeared to be
the loser. While Paul’s written words
were powerful his speaking was weak. His physical appearance wasn’t much
either. His opponents told him. So beginning with the 11th
chapter of 2 Corinthians we read Paul’s come-back letter. It’s called the “fools speech” and is full of
irony and parody that’s hard to grasp when only a few verses are read in
isolation. The letter comes down to an “anything
you can do I can do better” outburst.
But then Paul settles down to stating that it is not really about him, but instead about Christ in him. His weakness becomes an opportunity for
Christ’s power.
Paul’s life is an example of the way God
works. Over and over again God chooses
to work through weakness, but our human tendency is to value the powerful. It’s seems impossible to turn that value
upside down. Worse yet, somewhere deep
within us is the lie that when we
are “right with God” our lives are smooth and successful. Depression, addictions, sorrows, financial
woes must be our fault and tragedy must be a punishment for something we did
wrong. Even if we say we don’t believe
that lie our actions betray us. We try to hide our own weaknesses and
struggles from one another. We loathe
the thought of being judged as flawed or needy.
We put on a good face at church, the very place we are to encourage and
support one another!
Check yourself the next time you remember a
mistake or struggle with a problem. Are
you focusing on how you look to others, your face value? Or can you focus on your need of Christ? Can you look to Christ’s redemptive and
paradoxical power to use your situation and bring about an unimagined good? God works that way. Just take a look at Paul.
Pray: O Christ, open me to see all the ways
in which you use my strengths and my weaknesses. Let me not hide my failings but offer them up
for your redemption. Let me receive as
well as give.
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