Lack of sleep.
Lack of caffeine.
Lack of money.
Lack of strength.
Lack of direction.
Lack of answers.
Lack of_______
How many times in a day do you talk about lack? I hate to admit it, but these phrases slip through my lips more than once in a day. It’s easy to focus on the lack in our lives, rather than the many blessings that fill our homes and lives every day. On the same token, it’s easy to not only focus on, but resent our weaknesses, our areas of lack. It’s instinct to hide them, to ignore them, to despise them.
A lesson the Lord has been teaching me is that I have to come to terms with my own weakness and frailness before His strength can be fully manifested. I hate admitting weakness. I loathe unveiling brokenness. I often view a lack of something as failure. But I can’t ignore that God’s own Word says that He is faithful to meet us at our point of weaknesses. My weakness becomes a sacrifice I can offer up to God, and receive His strength in return.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
It’s very un-American to “boast all the more about weaknesses.” God, however, is not an American. He is God, and His economy works a little differently than that of the USA. Instead of cowering in the face of lack, instead of stuffing it away in that drawer we only look in once a year, He desires for me to offer it up to Him, and receive His strength and abundance in exchange. I’m learning that weakness can in the same breath become an offering. This act re-tunes my heart to again realize how blessed I really am.
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. Psalm 16:6
When God speaks of the life we have in Him, there are promises of abundance in things that matter and that nourish our soul, not just things that stuff our wallets or adorn our walls. We will still have troubles. We are not exempt from weakness. We are human after all.
But God instead promises joy, strength, peace and above all, His presence, in overflowing measure.
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11
The next time you struggle to respond to your spouse with grace, the next time you find yourself THIS CLOSE to losing it with your kid or a student, the next time you find weakness stealing your peace, offer it up to the Lord. Offer it up, and receive life abundantly in return.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10
