Out of Weakness
Purpose Driven Life #35
Cornwall/Montreal
May 8, 2004
When children come to Jesus they come knowing they are not particularly strong. This is to their advantage, and this is what Jesus knew when He brought them forward to bless them.
Matt.19.13-15- Jesus saw something that others didn’t. Where others saw the weakness and the ’littleness’ of the children, and saw this as something that made them insignificant and not worthy of attention, Jesus saw this as the redeeming value drawing him to them. They, because of who they are, have much to teach us, and we must learn something from this- something about being little, being needy, being dependent, and being taught- as maturing Christians, as Jesus directed us.
We are not nearly as strong as we’d like to think, sometimes. We try to hide our neediness. We try to hide our inabilities. We try to hide- and to hide from- the fact that we’re not ’all that’ by ourselves, and that we do need others. We are to learn from the children- from children in our midst- who live and are knowing they have things to learn and have to depend on the adults in their lives. We need to learn from the freshness and from the willingness to tackle new things that children exhibit. We, like the children, are weak and needy. God loves to use weak people! Do you know that? Or do you think he is looking only for spiritual giants in the doing of his great work? We might think that God only wants to use our strengths, but he also wants to use our weaknesses for his glory.
1 Cor.1.27- tells us what? It tells us that God has chosen those who are not to glory in their own strength in order to bring glory to Himself. We all qualify! We all belong to this special called group! We are all weak and needy. That God wants to use weak and needy people is wonderful news for us- it opens all the possibilities for serving in meaningful ways that we all want to be involved with.
When you and I think of ourselves, we like to think of our strengths, and we like to even manufacture strengths that might not really be there, as we want to look good to ourselves, first of all. However, we don’t have to go there. Maybe you have some physical limitations, or a chronic illness, low energy, an emotional limitation of some sort, or a talent or intellectual limitation. God knows, and, frankly, so do you and I. Let’s not hide from ourselves- that’s the worst deceit we can be in- to hide from the truth of ourselves! God has chosen you and He delights in using you.
2 Cor.4.7- we’re clay jars or pots in which God has placed his greatest treasure. We are fragile and flawed and break easily. But God will use us if we allow him to work through our weaknesses. For that to happen, we need to follow the model of Paul.
1. Admit your weaknesses. Oh, how difficult this is for so many adults. Sometimes, this is difficult because we’ve been raised being made incredibly small and we can’t take anymore of that. Sometimes, we have an inflated sense of our own importance or position. But stop pretending to have it all together, and be hones about yourself. Stop putting on a ’front’. I have a friend who put on a front for a long time and then crashed not all that long ago. The front simply, now, leads to doubts about what was ever really true about him. You can actually benefit by making a list of your personal weaknesses.
2 Cor.13.4- we are weak! Paul knew it about himself and we must know it about ourselves.
Acts 14.15- Paul knew he was a human being, not someone to be idolized. If you want God to use you, you must know who God is and know who you are. Many Christians, especially leaders, forget the second truth- we’re only human. If it takes a crisis for you to admit this, God won’t hesitate to allow it, because he loves you.
2. Be content with your weaknesses.
2 Cor.12.9-10- this is a hard saying, I think. Contentment, though, is an expression of faith in the goodness of God. It says that we believe God loves us and knows what is best for us. Paul gives us several reasons to be content with our inborn weaknesses. First, they cause us to depend on God; Paul had a thorn in the flesh- a personal limitation of some sort, which God did not take away. As verse 10 shows, God refused to take this away because he wanted Paul to depend on him.
Secondly, our weaknesses prevent our arrogance. They keep us humble. (See v.7.) God is more than able to give us a weakness to balance any strengths we have in order to keep our egos in check.
Thirdly, our weaknesses encourage fellowship between believers. If we were only strong, we could believe we didn’t need anyone else, and could get all independent, but our limitations show how much we need each other. I came across a quote that is telling, in this regard. "Christians, like snowflakes, are frail, but when they stick together they can stop traffic."
Fourthly, our weaknesses increase our capacity for sympathy and ministry. We are more likely to be compassionate and considerate of the weaknesses of others when we’re clearly aware of our own weaknesses. God wants you to represent Jesus in your world and you’re more likely to do that when you understand your own neediness, than if you simply focus on your strengths. Moses weakness was his temper, which led him to kill an Egyptian and to break the tablets of the Ten Commandments. Yet God transformed him into the humblest of all men. Abraham was fearful- how else do you explain telling people that your wife is your sister? But, he was transformed into the father of all those of faith. And, such happened with many recorded in the scriptures. And, your weaknesses will increase your ability to serve, too.
3. Share your weaknesses. Real ministry begins with vulnerability. The more you let down your guard, take off your mask, and share your struggles, the more God will be able to use you in serving others.
This was not the way we were trained in ministry 30 years ago. In fact, this summer marks my 30th anniversary as I spent the summer of 1974 as a Summer Intern/Trainee in Prince George, where I returned, following our marriage in the summer of 1975. Where have the years gone? At any rate, I remember being taught that I was supposed to be as good as or better than anyone in games I played, as it wouldn’t do to lose too often. Correctly, I was urged to be ’game’ and to try things I wouldn’t otherwise try, but the hope was always to not end up looking too silly or inept. In ministry, we were supposed to have the answers to any questions. It’s hard, you know, having to be right, or having to have all the answers. Fortunately, ministry was changing by the time I came into it, and the same pressure to be omni-competent and omni-knowledgeable wasn’t on me as on some who began in ministry before I did.
I have learned, though, through the last decade and a half, or so, that vulnerability actually increases one’s stock with those we serve. That’s one reason why I don’t lean too much on the old "Mr." Lawrence- but am happy to be called Dennis. You see, from my experience, I’ve come to recognize that we can accomplish much more in ministry by being closer to people, rather than by being farther away, as the old model encouraged. Sadly, it’s hard to be close to everyone, and some of you might feel that frustration. However, I want to be and if I had longer days, it would be possible.
Vulnerability is risky. It can be scary to lower your defenses and open up your life to others. When you reveal your failures, feelings, frustrations, and fears, you risk rejection. But the benefits are worth the risk. Being vulnerable means being relieved of the stress that trying to put on a front requires; it’s a great step toward freedom.
Let’s look at the people whom you are trying to serve. What if all they see are your strengths? Where does that leave them? It leaves them feeling discouraged and unable to measure up. If all someone sees in a servant is strength, then there is no encouragement to aspire or to try to be the same. But, we can be much encouraged by seeing others and their struggles, as well as their strengths. You don’t build credibility by trying to put on a front of perfection- see our government leaders. Like the guy in the movie, "Rocket Man", their answer is always, "It wasn’t me." It had to be someone, didn’t it? If you are always ’right’ or ’perfect’ then you will repel people. No one can stand to be around someone who is always right! You build credibility by being honest, not by trying to present a front of perfection.
4. Glory in your weaknesses. Paul did.
2 Cor.12.5- instead of posing as self-confident and invincible, see yourself as a trophy of God’s grace, and glory in that!
Heb.4.1- Jesus understands every one of our weaknesses- there’s nothing to hide from Him.
Ro.8.26- the Holy Spirit is in our lives to help us in our weaknesses.
As I conclude, I’d like you to think of the interesting example of Jacob. He, at one time, wrestled all night with God. He told God that he wouldn’t let him go unless He blessed him. God was prepared to bless him, but before doing it, he grabbed his hip and dislocated Jacob’s hip, so Jacob walked with a limp the rest of his life. Normally, the thigh muscle is one of the strongest in the body. God took that and turned it into a weakness so that Jacob could never run away from God. He had to lean on God whether he liked it or not.
Are you willing to go forward with a limp in your life? If you want God’s blessings and for him to use you greatly, you must be willing to, because God loves and uses weak people!
