But today my reading was in 2 Corinthians 12. Paul states, "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." I don't know of ANYONE who would like to delight in any of those things. Those are the things we try to avoid at all costs. Yet it was Christ's own command for us to "take up your cross and follow Me." Funny how I've just connected the dots and seen taking up the cross does mean weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions and difficulties.
Christianity does not seem to be for the weak, but yet it is. Because it is ONLY in the power of Christ that we can truly walk. And that's where the world sees the difference. How can we as followers of Christ carry on if we are truly experiencing weakness, insult, hardship, persecution and difficulties? Only by the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. Am I letting the world see me as weak so that Christ can work?
So the talk is good - but what is the practical. As I began my reading this morning, the Lord gave me the thought: When am I doing the greatest battle with the enemy? When I am down on my knees praying. On days like these I can't do a whole lot of reaching the world, BUT I can pray. And there is no power on heaven or on earth that can stop that. And my God is such a faithful God Who will answer. Am I weak? Absolutely. But He still chooses to use me in the battle for souls and that's all that really matters. Not that I'm used, but that the battle continues so that others may come to know Christ as Saviour.
So I delight in my weakness so that I may pray.
