The Life We Want: Power
A desire for power is wired into us, isn't it? We want power, control, and victory. At our worst, we'll do whatever it takes to win and control things in our lives. At our best, we're experiencing power the way God created us to experience power: by experiencing His power.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 gives us an outline on how to experience God's power. In every respect, Paul is the standard bearer on what it means to follow Christ. He's planted churches, raised up pastors, and led churches throughout the known world. Yet, interestingly enough, in this chapter, Paul doesn't accredit his "success" to his own ability. He says this:
So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 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. 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.
-2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Here's Paul giving us His secret: boast in weaknesses.
In our day, it doesn't make sense to highlight our weaknesses. Often we're encouraged to hide our weaknesses and glorify our strengths, yet Paul gives us a different way to see the world.
Paul begs God to take away the difficulties, yet God doesn't. Instead, God let's Paul know how the Kingdom of God works. Our weakness = an opportunity for God's strength and power to be at work. So how do we experience this type of power?
- We get radically honest with God about our weaknesses and need for Him.
- We be content with Christ's power being enough for us.
So often we're not okay with God's power being enough because of our pride and our desire to "prove ourselves." But, as God shows us in His Word, that's not how He works.
So, are you willing to get radically honest with God about your weaknesses?
Are you willing to lay down your pride and ask God for help?
Once you do, you'll experience more of God's work in your life than you could ever imagine.