"For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Where are you weak? Is it in sexual immorality? Perhaps it's the lust for money? Or maybe even confrontation? Worse yet, maybe you cannot control what comes out of you mouth -- profanity, discouragement, whatever?

There is comfort in all of our weaknesses though. It took me until now, well actually Sunday night/Monday morning, to realize this. For so long, I thought that I was the only one in our community here at W&J to struggle with the things I do; however, God has opened my eyes, ears, and heart to those who share my struggles.

Recently, I was discussing some of these struggles with some of my friends and one of them quoted a passage which has hung in my heart the last couple of days. 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in my weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor. 12:9-10)

Delight in my weaknesses? Who does that? Who boasts when they are weak? Do we freely express the areas in our lives where we cannot do it ourselves, but completely rest on the faith that God will provide for us? The last two days have challenged me to do this, which has been one of the most freeing times in my life. I have felt a burden lifted from my shoulders, allowing me to express my joy freely again.

It is so hard for us to rely on God for everything, but Christ has commanded us to do just that. We cannot do anything on our own; we cannot continue to carry our burdens, for we will be crushed in our feeble attempts to do so. Christ tells us that he will take our burdens: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Mat. 11:28-30)

God, take my burdens, for You alone can ease my load; You alone are able to bear my burdens. God, thank You for Your willingness to take my weary heart and give it rest. Thank You for taking my yoke from me.