30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
In my later years I am finding a joy in my weaknesses. That sounds strange, doesn’t it? And I am not talking about my physical weaknesses, even though they are present. The longer I live this walk with Jesus, the more I depend on Him for the strength to do it. The inward battles still continue to rage after years of prayer, absorption of Scripture, and fellowship with other believers. All the methods I learned as a new believer in Jesus put to use for years, and yet the battles still exist. I can tell you one thing for certain; I know that I am weak. Sin is just a choice away. Sin is always a choice away, but earlier in life I thought I could push it two or three choices away, create a hedge between me and sin. But over the years I have learned that I can skip the intervening steps if I want to and jump right into sin. I can get angry at that driver who must have forgotten what a turn signal is. Don’t they teach that in Driver’s Ed any longer? I know I can choose to pray for them at that moment instead, to pray for their families and the stress they are under and for their eternal soul, but do I? Nope, I get mad. And when I do get mad I am face to face with Jesus. He is right there with me in the anger, calling me away from the destructive self-righteous stance to one of humility. I so quickly forget my own driving indiscretions, the people I cutoff, the impatient stares. I think I am a pretty good driver compared to others, but I stink at driving from Jesus’ perspective. I don’t reflect His character as I desire. So in those times of weakness I am very much aware of His presence. My weakness makes room for Him. Are you recognizing your weaknesses as opportunities for God’s power to be present in your everyday life? Or are you going to try to complete God’s work on your own? Just admit you are weak and rejoice. Then God’s power can enter and work.