Do the ThingEsimerkki

When You Feel Weak

You might be feeling like you don’t have what it takes to start that business, train for that triathlon, or lead that small group. The simple truth is this: you don’t. But in Christ, you DO!

We cannot accomplish God’s will for our lives by ourselves, no matter how much we strive. That’s a rat race we were never created to run. We don’t have to work harder, run faster, or hustle longer to give God all the glory—nor do we do any of these things to earn His love. Rather, we move forward at the healthy pace He designed us to move at and stay the course.

Along the way, you have a Helper in the Holy Spirit (John 15:26). You have His power coursing through your veins, filling in the cracks of your weaknesses so that He may be glorified.

In Scripture, oil is often used to symbolize the Holy Spirit. Just as the oil in a lamp must be refilled, our spiritual “oil” must be replenished by walking in step with Christ, communing with God in prayer, and reading His Word.

Some people resist a deep dependence on God because that kind of surrender means admitting weakness. It can be scary to admit our own limitations. But personally, I shudder at the thought of a life without the power of Christ guiding my work. Your greatest ideas, your most brilliant endeavors, will be a by-product of you partnering with the King of the Universe.

As Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 12:9–10, “[God] 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.”

The more aware I am of my weaknesses, the more awake I am to God’s power in my life. If we could all become better “weakness braggers,” then I think we could all live with a deeper dependence on Christ in our everyday lives.

God, help me to see my weaknesses as opportunities to become aware of Your power at work in me. Fill me with the Holy Spirit. I want to live dependent on You every day. Amen.