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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.
*II Corinthians 12.9, ESV
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Have you felt God's power come on you surprisingly? Possibly, you, like me, have had a time of weakness to open to a fresh and unanticipated inflow of Divine Grace. I share the following testimony, in this regard, given by Laura Bagby, in Going with the Flow: The Power of God's Anointing.
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A couple of months ago I was complaining to my friend that I didn't feel close to the Lord, that God hadn't seemed to be talking to me, and that I was at a spiritually dry place. I missed being anointed for ministry. Sickness and busyness and fear of man had made it hard to move in the prophetic and I felt badly that I wasn't doing what God had intended.
God chose the most unusual time and way to answer that prayer.
In the midst of a busy day, I was asked to help with worship at one of CBN's staff chapels. I agreed, though I lacked spiritual exuberance. While my coworker was expectant that the Lord would move mightily in power, I was hoping chapel wouldn't go too long because I had a lot to do. Knowing that I was unprepared for what the Lord might do, I prayed that God would just allow me to worship Him and not worry about what anyone else thought of me. I prayed for God's peace and for His anointing -- never expecting that God would come in power an hour later.
And God did come, at first very gently. As the Holy Spirit swept through that chapel room and into my heart, the tears flowed, slowly and then steadily. Soon I was an embarrassingly soggy mess of brokenness before the Lord -- in front of a large crowd of people. There was no hiding my face, but that was OK, because I knew that it wasn't for man to judge my tears, not this day. I was in the presence of the Almighty. I couldn't explain why the dried up well suddenly sprang to life except that it was God being gracious to answer my prayer.
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Do you like to feel or look weak? I do not like feeling or appearing weak. And such contrasts with much of the media, which provide images of youth and vitality or older adults enjoying robust health and active lives in their senior years.
Also, the image of Christianity we see on television is not one very tolerant of weakness. Rather, we see huge crowds in large buildings, with someone dressed nicely, often expensively, and speaking strongly about our being materially blessed, healed, and powerful men and women.
We want to feel and look strong. We would like to hear other persons say, "She has it all together." Yes, we can hone skills of hiding when we do feel weak, wanting others not to know. We may feel, also, that we cannot let ourselves appear weak, for others depend on us. I know we pastors feel that way, when we sense we must smile and be strong before our people, though we may, at times, feel everything but strong and joyful.
Yet, weakness, says St. Paul, can be an opportunity, as it was for Laura in the story above. Weakness has a way of opening us to be a recipient and means of Divine power.
Recently, on a Sunday morning I went to the sanctuary early to prepare for our Worship. I felt strong and well but had been having times of feeling weak and ill over the prior days. Shortly before start of the Worship, I began feeling ill again. I knew it could be my heart acting up, due to recent stresses and physical tiredness. I got anxious and even had images of collapsing during the Worship. Now, that my sound weird, but that is how sick I felt.
I walked around the fellowship hall to get out of everyone's view. I knelt on a little concrete porch at the back door. I lifted my hands into the air and prayed for Divine help. A robust wind started blowing. I stood and walked back to the sanctuary.
During the Service I never recalled the prayer or had a thought about the weakness and sickness. I led the Service without a trace of fatigue or sense of sickness, including giving one of my most ardent sermons in many weeks. Only after leaving, did it dawn on me how weakness had been transformed into power.
St. Paul says God's strength, or power, is made whole in our weakness. The Greek for "strength" is dunamis. This means "inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth" (Strong's Concordance). St. Paul refers to strength in God, not within us. This power is tou Kristou, "the power of Christ." This power innate to the Word, the Divine Spirit exerts on our behalf, in and through us.
What does the Divine power do in our weakness? St. Paul speaks of it resting upon us. The Greek verb alluding to "resting on" refers to pitching a tent. Literally, we can read this as the Divine Power tenting upon us.
Sure, maybe feeling weak is not a good feeling. I am sure many of you, however, can recall how God's power and strength rested on and in you at a time of weakness and vulnerability.
Sometimes, when we feel weak, the worst thing we can do is try to feign strength. Better to make a habit of turning to God in weakness and praying for Divine enablement beyond your store of energy and fortitude.
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What are the different forms weakness can take in our lives?
Have you made it a habit to pray when you feel especially weak or tired and in need of strength?
Have you had an experience of an infusion of Divine energy at a time of weakness? Share that experience.
Why might Divine enablement appear often when we are weak?
Have you witnessed someone who experienced God's power in her life when she was overcome with weakness? Explain.
Has someone modeled for you reliance on God's power in all circumstances? Who? Is there a special time you saw this modeled in her life?
Do you need a special visitation of God's grace to strengthen you now? If so, will you request someone to pray with you for that Divine enablement?
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Christ is my life-time best Friend. I gave my heart and life to Him many years ago. No, I do not understand Him, and I am not the best person or Christian around. But I love Him and know He loves me. Maybe, a good definition of Christian faith is: Christ being the best Friend.
If you desire to explore more about Jesus Christ and Him as a best Friend, please contact a local church or write me at the following: barukhattah@embarqmail.com .
Below is a prayer to pray, to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I invite you sincerely to pray it:
Jesus, I am thankful you love me. I do not fully understand you, but I accept you love me and everyone, so much that you showed us God's unconditional love for everyone, in your life, death, and resurrection. Be my best friend, live in my heart, and show me the way to follow you. Amen.
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*Laura Bagby's testimony is from cbn.com .
*Charitable contributions would be appreciated to assist Brian in continuing his ministry. For contributions, contact Brian at barukhattah@embarqmail.com .
*Brian's book of spiritual love poetry, An Ache for Union: Oneness with God through Love, can be ordered through major booksellers or the Cokesbury on-line store, cokesbury.com .
*Brian K. Wilcox, a United Methodist Pastor, lives in Southwest Florida. He is a vowed member of Greenbough House of Prayer, a contemplative Christian community in South Georgia. He lives a contemplative life and seeks to inspire others to enjoy a more intimate relationship with Christ. Brian advocates for a spiritually-focused, experiential Christianity and renewal of the Church through addressing the deeper spiritual needs and longings of persons.
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