Seen in a Different Light

And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness " Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (New American Standard Bible)

God’s “No” to Paul’s request for deliverance from a thorn in his flesh led to the writing of this profound section of Scripture. The boasting and strength came from the realization that God’s grace was sufficient for him. Paul had not reached the place where he no longer had weaknesses and failures. He had not reached the place where troubles and disappointments no longer marked his path. Rather, he reached the place of knowing that none of those things defined him or were the end of the story for him. His confidence was not in his own strength or attempts at a perfect record. His confidence was in God’s grace, power, and presence.

I have often failed to understand that maturity and growth in Christ does not mean perfection! Weaknesses, failures, temptations, and troubles are going to be a part of my walk with Christ until I leave this world. The growth and maturity will be evidenced not by the absence of those things but rather by the change in how I handle them. What is that change? It will be seen in the times I ask God for forgiveness, help, and direction. It will be seen each time I turn my attention toward Him rather than toward myself or my circumstances. It will be seen in the small, seemingly, insignificant moments of the day when there is a shift in my attitude and actions.

God is not looking for me to live in perfection….He knows I am not capable of that as long as I possess a sin nature and live in a fallen world. What He is looking for is a heart that desires to know Him, follow Him, cooperate with Him, seek Him, and love Him. How precious of Him to let me know that faltering steps do not cancel out the steps of faith. They simply draw my attention back toward the One who is willing to stand me up straight again and nudge me in the right direction. The One who still leans over and whispers, “This is the way, walk in it.” The One who still infuses His strength and Spirit into every fiber of my being on a daily basis. So when I am confronted by my difficulties, disillusionments, disappointments, and disobedience I can stand in confidence rather than condemnation, because I stand in Christ.

Father, You see me for who You created me to be. It is not that the failures and weaknesses are not there it is that Your presence and power outshine them all. Praise You! Amen.

His Strength is Perfect - Steven Curtis Chapman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC_lld_vUCY

He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food. Job 36:16