Even the Greatest of Us Have Weaknesses

"When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. ² For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. ³ I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling." (1 Cor. 2:1-3)

Sometimes I am surprised at how painfully shy I can be at certain events.  Because I feel nervous about a situation or a meeting, the thought of it can make my stomach turn.

In these moments, I am encouraged by these words of Paul -- that He too was a human being who experienced nervousness even when being one of the most powerful and memorable apostles for Christ.  I forget that as a Christian, I do not live on my own strength and on my own abilities, that I may be proud of my accomplishments and boast to the world my greatness.

No, Paul says, "The foolishness of God is stronger than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength." (1 Cor 1:25)  In that vein, we give over our lives to Christ in full, so that we can do more than what our human strength (or weakness) can accomplish.

Yes, I have moments when my own strength is not strong enough and my own capacity is found wanting.  In those moments, how blessed am I that I can turn to the Lord and ask for more capacity and more strength to do the things that He has called me to do.  In the same way that Paul was called beyond his capacity to be an apostle, so too have I been called to the mission field of business -- and so I must rely and lean upon the Lord for my strength to go with courage even into the situations where I have none.

Lord Jesus, how great are You that I can lean upon You to do more than my human capacity allows.  Strengthen Your servant in those times and lead me with peace into any perceived lions' dens that the world may construct.  I pray that Your Spirit will always shine through in everything that I do. In Your awesome name I pray, AMEN.

A Life Promise Fulfilled To A Young Believer (and Slacker)

Psalm 128

128 How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
Who walks in His ways.
² When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands,
You will be happy and it will be well with you.
³ Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine

Within your house,
Your children like olive plants
Around your table.
⁴ Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed
Who fears the Lord.

⁵ The Lord bless you from Zion,
And may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
⁶ Indeed, may you see your children’s children.
Peace be upon Israel!

The above verse is a life verse for me - one that I was given in prayer and have clung to for around 12 years now.  As a relatively new, but very serious Christian those years ago,  I was a frustrated college grad who couldn't see any path forward in life.  I was single, but desperately wanted to be married.  I was working, but did not love my work or vocation.  In reality, it was my character that was very weak and immature.  However, I did love God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength.

In prayer, I was led to open the Bible to this Psalm and when I read it, I cried and cried.  I didn't know how a life like this would be obtained because it seemed so far away, yet it was exactly what I yearned for.  A wife, healthy children, a house, and a vocation that would provide and be fulfilling.  Nothing fancy, but seemingly impossible for that young man all those years ago.

The Potter only had a lump of clay to start out with -- but little did I suspect that He would do so much...

He started with my character -- as much as I have been able, I have tried to maintain my fear of the Lord over the years.  Over that time period, I remained very single for another 4 years, but learned to give and serve others in volunteering.  Via missions, I was led to live abroad and Japan and the Philippines, eventually meeting my future wife in my travels. 

I moved back into my old career that I thought I hated as a young man, but approached it with a renewed passion for excellence and as a consequence, I have reached new heights in both competence, compensation, as well as fulfillment.

I have gotten married to a woman beyond my wildest dreams, and now have two beautiful, miraculous children.

I have a house to raise a family in...one that we call our own.

This simple Psalm, whose promises are still yet to be fully realized, has been an amazing promise of blessing to my life. Yet, the reader will notice that it is addressed to anyone who fears the Lord.  It is a general promise from God that is available to all.  

I still consider myself far from fully shaped and I know that it is through the challenges of life, not the pleasures of life, that we are shaped and improved.  I have also discovered that my biggest blessings are also my biggest trials (work, marriage, kids).

As I marvel at the blessings of God...I am in awe and awash with gratitude.  And I look forward to each day that comes and try my best to obey Him in all I do.