On April 19th, I boarded a flight that would eventually take me to Armenia.
When I look at the picture of my small suitcase, backpack, and one travel bag, my luggage appears to be insufficient for 18-days of travel. That photo also reminds me of how I felt when I left: inadequate and not nearly enough.
I have a familiar feeling when I consider the responsibility to teach, equip, encourage, and care for pastors and church leaders.
“Lord, I feel that I’m unprepared,” I prayed. But when do I ever feel prepared, I thought? And so, the internal dialogue began – and continued -- on my flights to Armenia.
While I was reading on the plane, the Apostle Paul’s words caught my attention:
“If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness” (2 Cor. 11:30).
What does Paul see in things that reveal his weakness that merits boasting? What does he recognize that I need to see? Boasting in things that causes weakness seems counter-intuitive.
Weakness is NOT what we want to place on our résumé, is it? Aren’t others more interested in our achievements?
Being transparent about our weaknesses is one thing. But to boast openly – and honestly – about our shortcomings, well, isn’t that ... weak?
Three flights later, landing in Yerevan, Armenia, I knew what God was leading me to speak about with these pastors and leaders. The messages throughout the week were as much for me as they were for the men and women I would address.
Don’t misunderstand.
I’m not suggesting that we have no responsibility to prepare. Paul admonishes Timothy:
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” - 2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV).
I am saying that my weaknesses guard me against becoming self-reliant and self-sufficient.
God is entirely capable of demonstrating His power in our weakness. Paul realizes that it’s easier to boast about our accomplishments than our weaknesses. He also understands: Weakness is a gift that produces humility. And true humility allows others to see God’s power in our weakness.
I’m happy to report: Although (like my luggage) I felt insufficient, inadequate, and not enough: God’s power was made known in my weakness. Thanks be to God!
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