Strength out of weakness
There will be a number of people reading this article who, at this point in time, are feeling weak and vulnerable and could do with a word of encouragement. There is a brief portion in the New Testament which reads, ‘ When I am weak then I am strong.’ What is the writer (the apostle Paul) going on about? We understand what is meant when a person is said to be weak-willed or of weak character, but that is not the sort of weakness that the writer has in mind.
The Anglican theologian, Jim Packer, is surely right to direct us to the sort of weakness which is common to all of us, though we often choose to turn a blind eye to it for as long as we can. Packer sees weakness, as the ‘inability finally to control our life situation relationally, circumstantially, financially, health wise and so on, despite all that our therapeutic present-day culture can do for us.’ Such weakness ‘will be with us as long as life in this world lasts’.
Our world does not look favourably upon weakness. So acknowledging one’s own weakness does not come easily, because our pride doesn’t want others to see us as such.
Jesus taught that God has little time for the proud, but the humble he welcomes. It is here that we can begin to see how weakness may be a way to strength. Who is the stronger, a strong man without God in his life or a weak man with God alongside him?
If you are aware of your weakness and vulnerability, then you can allow these to be tools in the hands of Almighty God; tools that can draw you to him, yes perhaps even force you to him. Our culture may say that it is typical of weak people to turn to God when they become aware of their lack of self-sufficiency. God, however, says turning to him is the wisest thing to do at any time but he knows we are more likely to call upon him out of our weakness than out of our strength.
Jesus issues an invitation to all people: ‘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.’
What the apostle Paul had discovered was that when our weakness causes us to get harnessed to the mighty Jesus, then our state is elevated to one of strength.