“Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.“
After stating his compassion for those he leads; and admitting he is as flawed as anyone else is… Paul declares that his boasting will only be about his weakness… Don’t skip over that concept… It’s a radical statement, and a revolutionary way to live your life.
How do you establish your self-worth? Do you set your value on your level of performance?... Are you treasured because of what you do and how well you do it? … or does your value emanate from whom you belong to?
If my confidence is in Christ – am I so grounded in Him that I don’t need to defend my own public image? Am I so confident in the power of my Savior that I embrace the things that show my need of Him? This is a radical departure from most people’s PR plan, and Paul is not subtle about it.
He doesn’t have a trophy room; he boasts in mementos of his weakness… He embraces it. Do you absorb the benefits from your trials? ...or do you miss some growth opportunities because of blame deflection, denial, or self-pity?
Paul leans into his flaws and sufferings and squeezes every ounce of growth and wisdom from each trial. No dodging, no excuses… he simply leans on the power of his Savior and allows God’s redeeming grace to transform him.
Our adversary prowls around looking for someone to destroy. So, we are not only exposed to suffering… we are hunted. If they’re not here already, trials are coming. When heartache arrives, what are you going to do about it? … Hide? Run?
Paul meets his head on… because he knows it will be the Mighty Warrior God that responds. Paul will lean into the suffering, embrace his own weakness, and marvel at the apocalypse God unleashes on those who hurt His children.
So, decide today to boast about your strength, or about God’s …. Rely on one or the other, and then let the chips fall where they may.
“We are too much haunted by ourselves, projecting the central shadow of self on everything around us. … Redemption is this, to forget self in God.”
- Frederick W. Robertson
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