By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

God and Our Weakness

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“God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”
1 Corinthians 1:27b New International Version

When I began picking blueberries I looked down at my bucket and thought, “Look at how few berries I have.  This will take forever!  We will never have enough to take home!” But I told myself, “Just keep picking, Steve, you’ll get there.”  And in two hours, we weighed in 30 pounds of berries!

Have you felt this way about the spiritual challenges in your life?  You may think, “What am I among so many?  How weak I am and how daunting the task!  Surely I will never succeed.”  In our attempts to bring the Good News of Jesus to others, it may feel like our efforts are feeble and in vain.  The world around us seems hostile to the Gospel and we feel like a lone voice crying out in the wilderness. We may think, “What good am I doing?  Surely no one is listening.”

But God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the strong.  He has taken the shame of the cross of Jesus Christ and used it to save the world.  He takes those who are weak and hurting and pours out His healing and strength.  As one fellow said to me the other day, “I think it is only in our weakness that the grace of God begins to make sense to us.”

You see, God cannot use the strong and self-sufficient.  He can only use those who come to Him in weakness, confessing their sin and brokenness.  And in our weakness, God shows Himself strong.  For when we cry out to Him, then He can rescue us and we have a message to tell the world.  For all those who admit they need a Savior, the Lord will save.

Do not be afraid of your weakness and small beginnings.  Our Lord is strong and His Word will accomplish the purpose for which it was sent out.  For when we are weak, then He can be strong!

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado