reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in
the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me- to keep me from
exalting myself!
Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave
me. And he has said to me, "my grace is sufficient for you, for power
is perfected in weakness." most gladly, therefore I will rather boast
about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
(Paul, 2 Corinthians 12:7-9)
At one time or another each of us has probably said that we have been
given a thorn in the flesh that we continually ask God to take away.
Today Has been a painful reminder of how weak I am, how vulnerable,
and how imperfect. On impact, my thorn temps me to blame God or
question his intentions for me. Does he really have my best interest
at heart? How many times have I asked Him to take it away? How many
times have I sought answers and come up empty? But as I reflect more
solemnly on my condition, I realize that He is giving me the very gift
that I desire - to be less and less dependent on myself and my
strength and more and more dependent on his love and salvation. When i
give up on my own self-will and simply let Christ be my strength, I am
made perfect in my weakness through Him. This is all a mystery to
those who don't know him. It sounds foolish to a world that values
believing in oneself above all things. (Mark 4:11-12; Eph 3:8-10; 1Cor
2:6-16).
We don't know what Paul's thorn was, but he was wise enough to
understand that it kept him from glorifying himself as he made
diciples for Christ. The Spirit that was in him, and taught him is the
same Spirit that is in me and you, if you follow Jesus Christ. He is
the same Spirit that told Paul, tells me, and tells you that "my grace
is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Thank you,
Lord, for teaching me to trust you, for increasing my faith, and for
loving me so well.
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