Today, I am so thankful for God's grace & I want to share why.
Recently, a dear friend shared this statement and it has resonated with me ever since: "There's a difference in being transparent and being vulnerable. You can be transparent and still not be vulnerable." We all need to know that we have a place where it's safe to be vulnerable. So often in the church, we feel we must always appear strong and if we were to be vulnerable or admit we are struggling, others would look down on us or judge us. Yes, God is always wanting us to grow spiritually. He wants us to lead others to him by example. But there is such freedom is knowing it's not our strength that makes us great, it's not our abilities that make us adequate, it's not
our "put together" appearance that makes us anointed. I am so truly honored with God's calling on my life as a mom, wife, Pastor's wife, and sweet purposes and convictions God has put in my heart. I see my husband minister God's Word to so many and see so many lives changed, and I am just honored to get to be a part. I see this school that God has placed under our care, and I am honored I get to be a part. I see my children, their gifts, their uniqueness, and I get to be a part of shaping their lives. So many times I am reminded that I, in and of myself, am not enough. I see myself speak an unkind word to my children, I get frustrated with others, I feel inadequate for all that is before me. I know my heart and am disappointed in the judgements I may be so quick to pass, or sharp words I let come out of my mouth. I fail and falter. I get frustrated and overwhelmed. I know I am not enough. I am insufficient for all that He's called me to. Then, I get quiet. It's these times where God so gently reminds me of a great Truth. In my spiritual walk with the Lord, this is something that I have often been reminded of and found to be so freeing for me. I hope it is for you too….
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. II Corinthians 12:9
I love Jesus! I love that He takes my weakness when I acknowledge it before him and he puts his anointing right there and shows his strength in that very area. He loves to do it. It's in those areas that He gets all the glory, because I know how weak I really am that I don't dare take credit. I am so humbled by how good He is.
So, for those of you reading this that feel weak; that feel like a failure; that feel shaken, inadequate, and as though you will never be "good" enough: His grace is enough. Maybe this is just a momentary thing for you. You are just going through an emotional "funk". Or maybe this has been the story of your life. You have never been "enough". Maybe someone made you feel inadequate for years and you can't get passed it. I want to encourage you: Don't hide your weakness, insufficiency and bury it in some hidden part of your heart, hoping to never be seen by anyone. Don't think your inadequacies eliminate you from being called and used mightily by God. Quite the contrary. God uses weak ones. 1 Corinthians 1:26 says "For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”[c
God loves to use weak ones! Acknowledge your inadequacies, don't hide them. See it for what it is. See it as a place for God's strength to be made perfect! And then confess it. Confess it to God. It's so freeing! It's okay that I am weak sometimes. The Bible also tells us to confess to one another " Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed" James 5:16. Find someone where you feel safe to be vulnerable and share your weakness. There's a healing that begins.
I am far from perfect. I am often weak. I don't have some great awesome gift.. But, bigger than my weakness is this great mighty God. He is bigger and greater than any insufficiency I may have. All I have to do is surrender to Him and his perfect strength will flow right into my weakness and He will be glorified! With Him, I can do all things. With Him, nothing is impossible for me. With him, I can fulfill the call he has placed on my life. With him I can control my tongue. With him, I can love others the way He has loved me. With him, I can stop focusing on my weakness and insufficiency, and instead focus on His great strength. He will cause all His plans & purposes to come to pass in my life as I acknowledge Him. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".
your sister in Christ,
Chrissy
