When I Am Weak, Then I Am Strong

Isn’t it interesting that, whether you are in elementary school, college, or decades out of school, the start of the new school year is still something we notice and think about? I have to admit that there have been times when I wondered why the school buses were running or not running because I had lost track of the school schedule, but the start of the new school year is hard to miss. It’s in the papers, on the news, in the ads, and on billboards online and in real life. But does it matter, not just to students, teachers, faculty, parents, and guardians? I think it does.

The start of a new school year marks progress in their lives. There are new teachers, new schools, new clothes, books, backpacks, and so forth. There might be a new bus, or new classrooms, or even new potential friends. We cannot erase the past, but the new gives us a chance to maybe not keep making the same mistakes all the time. A new school year is like getting the chance to reboot some part of our lives, perhaps even more than a new calendar year.
 
Even as I write this, though, I see two problems. First, we always have a chance to reboot! In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Forgiveness is not just a chance to restart, but it is the essence of restarting. Second, it might be time to look at life in a different way. For instance, when Jesus forgave Peter for denying him three times, did Jesus give Peter a new start, or was he redeeming who Peter was already? Follow me a moment – Jesus knew Peter would deny him because he knew Peter’s personality. Likewise, Jesus knows our sins and faults, as well as our strengths. Jesus chooses Peter to be a disciple despite knowing how he would fail; therefore, when we are chosen, it is not because of our perfection, but because of something else.

Paul wrote about the “thorn” in his side: “Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 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.” (2 Corinthians 12:8–10 NRSV) It seems that we are chosen, not for our strengths, but precisely because God can work through our weaknesses.

Now, strengths, weaknesses, sins, faults, personalities – these things are not exactly equivalent, so let me rephrase the question: Perhaps we do not need a reboot or a fresh start (although these things can be helpful!)– perhaps what we need instead is, a fresh understanding: God has chosen us to be the light of the world, and the way we show light is by letting God use our weaknesses. As an example, our friend Pastor Becky has a significant weakness, which is her very poor eyesight. And yet, we experience God’s strength through her weakness, because God gives her the ability to work through that weakness.

So, here is our assignment: What is a weakness I have, something I wish would go away? Perhaps I think too much about what others think. Perhaps I have a medical condition, a mental condition, an issue where it seems like I am always weak. This month, as school restarts, pray that God would use that weakness to display God’s strength! And then, be prepared to share the story of how God blesses others through your weakness.
 
While we are not numerically the church we were when I arrived in 2010, with God, not only are all things possible, but the best days are yet to come!
 
As always, I am privileged to be your pastor and a fellow servant of Christ alongside you.