Significant Weakness

A little overwhelmed by and vividly aware of my own inadequacies I write the following to encourage myself:

In Scripture, God purposely exposes the weaknesses of those he used mightily. Through it he teaches us that it is a good thing to be aware of our frailties. We are usually very busy proving to everyone just how competent we are, but since God desires truth in the inner parts we should be careful to gaze into his word and allow him to bring us back from our disillusionment and striving. When we compare ourselves to other people we may or may not measure up, but when we compare ourselves to God we never do. This is the place he desires us to be. When our short comings blind us like one gaping into the sun we tend to cower back until by our own estimation we are approved, but brokenness allows you to judge yourself correctly by what God has revealed and then continue in the grace of God. In the New Testament, Paul encourages us to have this proper view of ourselves:

Romans 12:3
"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you."

At the heart of the matter we are afraid that our own weaknesses will make us insignificant so we are in a constant state of trying to convince ourselves and others that we are strong. It is a shame that we are so afraid of our own insignificance. It is really a valuable thing. A statement made by Gary Thomas in his book Sacred Parenting has shaken me to the core. He says, "Our so-called search for significance is often a very dangerous attempt to steal some of God's glory. We may make our lust for recognition sound angelic- wrapping our ambition in kingdom-building terms-but at the root it becomes a demonic exercise to use God's gifting in order to make ourselves seem important."

Jesus showed another way. He made himself "less" and became a humble servant. As Messiah, he never sought to bring glory to himself, but to the Father. But God knows our human condition and this is why he allows us to be broken and to experience our own weaknesses; he knows there is great power in embracing them.

God help me not to cower back when my faults are glaring, but to stare them right in the face and call them what they are...opportunities for humility and openings for grace.

1 Corinthians 1:27
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.

2 Corinthians 12:9
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.