Weak but Strong

We live in a culture that deplores weakness. “That was a weak effort.” “Don’t show people your weaknesses; only show your strengths!” “Your argument is weak; weren’t you paying attention? Do you really want to fail?” “This coffee is too weak!”

Weakness is something to be avoided. Imagine going on a job interview and giving more weaknesses than strengths to describe your role in the desired position. Think you will still get the job? We don’t delight in weakness. As Saul Bloom, one of my favorite characters in Oceans 11, says, “I don’t do weakness… it costs too much!” Our weakness reveals our need for someone or something more. Our weaknesses reveal that we CAN’T do it by ourselves, that we must have help.

While we don’t value weakness, the apostle Paul saw weakness as a strength: “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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” For Paul, weakness allowed God’s strength to shine through. He acknowledged that we can’t do it on our own, but with God we are stronger than we ever could be. So, dear brothers and sisters, let’s attempt to reveal our weaknesses this week, so that Christ can shine through!