I am a major advocate of functioning in your strengths rather than your weaknesses. It has made sense to me that God would give you a gift, which would be a strength of sorts, and then want you to use it. If you don't have the strength of singing, for example, you don't want to go solo in front of your congregation. Yet recently I have been reflecting on what Paul said and trying to resolve it to this issue of strengths:
Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 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 weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:8-10).
Until my purpose seminar last Saturday, I did not know how to resolve this. Today I would like to propose a possible solution. To find out what it is, however, you will have to read on.
In the seminar we were talking about purpose being the answer to your "what?" question - what should I do with my life? Often we derail our consideration of the what by thinking about the how question - how will I support myself and my family by doing this, how will it all work out, how can I possible do this at my age (young or old)?
I had what and how on the white board when one of the young ladies in the seminar offered this perspective: "It seems that the what is your strength, but the how is your weakness. We must accept the what but then trust the Lord for the how." And I thought, "Wow!"
Look back at what Paul wrote above. His weakness was the how of his purpose to the Gentiles. He had persecution and difficulties and people insulting him - he was clear on the what he was to do, but the how was his challenge. He faced opposition on every front and even had to face his own physical limitations that sapped his energy. He was always clear on the what; it was the how that was his weakness. And it was in his weakness that the Lord was exalted.
Paul saw that he was in his best position for success when he was in his purpose, but also facing his limitations, trusting the Lord to somehow make a way. And God always did make a way, even when he was in prison or on a sinking ship. Even when the ship was going down, Paul was fulfilling his purpose of taking the gospel to the Gentiles, even the Gentile ship's crew.
This understanding is critical for your PurposeQuest, for if you are going to face life's difficulties, you must do so from your position of purpose strength. When you go before the Lord for help to fulfill the purpose He assigned you, He must help You if He wants results - which of course He does. And from your position of the how weakness, He will help you fulfill your what.
I urge you this week to meditate on this possible distinction and interpretation and let me know what you and other readers think by posting your thoughts on the site where this is posted. Thank you and have a great week.
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