The Strength in Our Weakness

You know how icebergs are mostly hidden beneath the water, with only a small tip visible above? Well, that’s kinda how many of us are. We show the world a polished, "all-is-well" exterior while keeping our inner struggles and emotional baggage hidden deep down.

Here’s the kicker: It’s impossible to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature. Think about it.

Remember Moses? Led thousands out of Egypt, right? But he was also a stutterer and had some not-so-great moments in his past. King Saul? Tall and handsome, but also riddled with insecurity and jealousy. And don’t get us started on David, Elijah, Jeremiah, Peter, Timothy, and Paul. These biblical heavyweights weren't perfect. They had their fair share of mess and brokenness.

What's so inspiring about them? They were real, vulnerable, and God still used them for great purposes. Their stories remind us that, no matter our past or present struggles, Christ's transformative power can turn things around. He can use our mess to create a message, our test to give a testimony.

Paul’s journey sheds light on the beauty of vulnerability. Even with his impressive résumé, he chose to boast about his weaknesses rather than his strengths. Why? Because he recognized that it was through these weaknesses that God's power shined the brightest. When we’re weak, humbled, and fully dependent on Jesus, that’s when His power is most evident in us.

Many of us have "thorns" - those persistent problems or pains that we wish God would just take away. But sometimes, God doesn't remove them. Instead, He amplifies His grace, showing us that His power is made perfect in our weakness.

So, where does this leave us? We have two choices. One, we can get mad at God for not "fixing" things. Or two, we can embrace our vulnerabilities, lean into His grace, and recognize that when we’re weak, we’re actually strong. Because in our weakness, God's strength shines through.

Over the years and through various challenges, many of us have come to deeply understand Paul's words: "For when I am weak, then I am strong.” So, let's wear our scars as badges of honor, knowing they tell a story of grace, redemption, and God's unwavering love.

- Adapted from sermons preached across our 3 campuses on 10/22/23.