Strong When I'm Weak

“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.” -2 Corinthians 12:9

I used to perform in musicals. When you work as a professional actor, you will be asked to sing 5, 6, even 8 shows a week. This is obviously very stressful on one’s vocal chords. A few years ago, I was starring opposite a wonderfully talented performer in New York City when she all of a sudden became very ill one week. She arrived at the show on the last night of the week, really doubting whether she was going to be able to sing the notes. I tried my best to encourage her that she would be fine, but she was still a nervous wreck before taking the stage. 

After the show, and a flawless performance on her part, I ran into her backstage. “Hey, I told you you’d be fine.” I said.

“Yeah,” she replied, “I guess I’m strongest when I think I’m weak.”

Now, I’m not saying that God somehow protected her voice. Maybe he did, but that’s not what this verse is about. Her words though, “I’m strongest when I think I’m weak,” really stuck with me. 

When we find ourselves broken, beaten down, wondering if we can go on, that is exactly when God likes to show off his strength. The promise of the scriptures is that his power is not only there, but made perfect in our weakness. It was in our weakness that Christ came and gave the ultimate showcase of strength on the cross. His power was not only made perfect in our weakness, but the power and love of Christ perfected us in our weakness.

PRAYER: Dear God, thank you for your power and love. I pray that when I am weak, I would know and trust that your strength is with me, lifting me, and guiding me. Thank you Jesus, for your merciful act of love and strength when you went to the cross for my sins. I pray that even in my weakness, that I would walk in that strength.