Team,
Aloha! It has certainly been a challenging year and I couldn't have made it to this point without your continued support and for that I truly thank you.
This week we continued our study of Paul's letters with 2nd Corinthians Ch. 12. In this chapter Paul continues his defense of his ministry and highlights the completeness of God's power in stark contrast to our own inadequacy. Let's begin:
(Quick context: Paul had an affliction that affected him most of his adult life)
“Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn’t get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations.”
Naturally, Paul prayed that this handicap might be removed but that is not the answer he received back from God:
“My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.”
There are afflictions that each of us suffer from and whether physical, emotional, or psychological, they can limit us. Despite our best efforts to counter them with all the means we as humans have available at this point in history, we remain limited to a degree. Paul, like us, prayed to have said limits removed so he could reach his full potential, however God replied that Paul has missed the point.
The imperfections of our life require us to lean on our relationship with God and others to accomplish our goals. We realize our goals when we admit our weaknesses to God and in faith ask for his power to make up for what we lack. And what a freeing thought at the same time! We are not required to know and do it all and it's ok that we are not fully capable of all things. He is, and He wants to share the experience with us. So cast off the limits you have placed on yourself due to whatever your current 'handicap' may be and dive in knowing God's power is more than adequate.
There are some other great parts to this chapter that I considered including, but I will leave it there for you to meditate on this week. I wish you all a great and full week.
-the contrary disciple