Rev. V. M. Mathew
Youth Chaplain,
North East Region
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Rev. V.
M. Mathew
Youth
Chaplain, North East Region
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10 Therefore I am content with weaknesses,
insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of
Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.
Apostle Paul, when
writing to the Corinthians, makes these radical statements which a
common person will find it difficult to understand. Being strong in
our weaknesses is a difficult concept to understand but Apostle
Paul was confident when he said “For when I am weak, then I am
strong.” He also says “I will boast all the more gladly about
my weaknesses” These statements are very hard to understand and
accept.
Paul talks specifically on what these weaknesses are and
gives a list. “I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in
hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties” These are
not the weaknesses that many of us think about, struggling with and
these are not the weaknesses that we come across often when we live
in today’s world. Many of us are struggling with our weaknesses of
sin and our weaknesses related to our affluent life style but
Paul’s weaknesses are the result of his own choice to be an apostle
of Christ. So his weaknesses are the result of his own choice of
being with Lord and carry the cross. And he is confidently saying
that he is boasting on these weaknesses. Can we understand this as
a Christian?
Paul is also saying “Therefore most gladly I will rather
boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me”
I think this is the reason why Paul has this boldness to say these
radical statements. No human will be able to endure these weaknesses
without the power of God. This is the mystery in a Christian’s life
and this may not be understandable to many others. If we are ready
to endure and boast on our weaknesses Paul is telling us today that
His power will rest upon us and we will be strong in our
weaknesses.
Let me quote the words of Helen Keller “Without this
faith there would be little meaning in my life. I should be “a mere
pillar of darkness in the dark.” Observers in the full enjoyment of
their bodily senses pity me, but it is because they do not see the
golden chamber in my life where I dwell delighted; for, dark as my
path may seem to them, I carry a magic light in my heart. Faith,
the spiritual strong searchlight, illumines the way, and although
sinister doubts lurk in the shadow, I walk unafraid towards the
Enchanted Wood where the foliage is always green, where joy abides,
where nightingales nest and sing, and where life and death are one
in the Presence of the Lord”.- Helen Keller, from Midstream,
My Later Life
Our faith and our dependence on God Make our life
meaningful amidst of all weaknesses that we have. The power of God
makes us strong even though we have weaknesses in life. Christian
life is a choice to endure these weaknesses but we will be
victoriously face and overcome these weaknesses by the power and
grace of God. God is telling us “My
grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in
weakness.”
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PRAYER
Lord we thank you for your grace
that abounds in our weaknesses. Continue to pour out your grace that
strengthens us in our weaknesses. Amen
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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
“I carry a magic light in my
heart. Faith..”
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