Today’s scripture: 2 Cor 12:1-10 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Terri Brown):
Paul demonstrates how the power in weakness sets Christians and those who love Christ, apart from others. As Paul is writing to the Corinthians he is stating that it is suffering that has made him who he is. He starts out the passage by writing that, yes, he has had spiritual experiences such as the one he vaguely describes when “a man in Christ (who), 14 years ago, went up to the highest heaven” (v 2). This was in response to their questions about his “superiority” status as an apostle which is determined by his visions, revelations and other spiritual experiences.
However, Paul turns this letter into idyllic observation of how he wants the Corinthians and others to see him, know him and what he realizes God has chosen for him. Paul states that he asked God to take this very bad physical pain from him which he suffers from but only alludes to. He does not go into detail of what this is. Whatever it is, it should not matter. We all have it for one reason or another at various times of our life.
So Paul says he asked 3 times for God to take away this pain. God’s answer was: ‘My power is strongest when you are weak.’(v 9)
Those are powerful words that I have ran from many times in my life. There is power in weakness. It is God’s power. Yet I let the worldly ways show me differently, take me different places and tell me what I heard in my heart was not the way of the world. I do not want to be weak. I do not want to be poor. I do not want to be needy. I do not want to want.
In my current position I teach clients on a daily basis to change negative thought to positive ones. And I can easily do the same as in this passage. I have in the past and I will in the future.
For as I sit here I can think of all the bills that need to be paid and all the things I would like to do with that money instead, and all the people who have more “stuff” than I do and all the places I thought I would be at this point in my life. But I am rich! I have family and friends who love me, I have a job where I can help people on a regular basis, I can learn as I teach and recognize I am needy, I have been very ill at times, on disability, without money or a car, without a job and unable to pay any bills let alone some.
Yet I have love. I have always had God’s love. Even when I was not sure God was there.
“So, because I love Christ, I rejoice in weaknesses. I rejoice in hurtful things that people say. I rejoice when I suffer. I rejoice in cruel treatment for what I believe. I rejoice in difficulties. Because when I am weak, then I am strong.” (v 10)
Thought for the day: So for today, change some negative thoughts to positive ones and let God’s love make that weak thing in your life strong. “Show some love!”
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.