Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Being Strong In Weakness
2 Corinthians 12:1-12
Vs. 10 "Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong".
         Apostle Paul, when writing to the Corinthians, makes these radical statements which a common person will find it difficult to understand. Being strong in our weaknesses is a difficult concept to understand but Apostle Paul was confident when he said “For when I am weak, then I am strong.”  He also says “I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses” These statements are very hard to understand and accept.
         Paul talks specifically on what these weaknesses are and gives a list. “I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties” These are not the weaknesses that many of us think about, struggling with and these are not the weaknesses that we come across often when we live in today’s world. Many of us are struggling with our weaknesses of sin and our weaknesses related to our affluent life style but Paul’s weaknesses are the result of his own choice to be an apostle of Christ. So his weaknesses are the result of his own choice of being with Lord and carry the cross. And he is confidently saying that he is boasting on these weaknesses. Can we understand this as a Christian?
           Paul is also saying “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” I think this is the reason why Paul has this boldness to say these radical statements. No human will be able to endure these weaknesses without the power of God. This is the mystery in a Christian’s life and this may not be understandable to many others. If we are ready to endure and boast on our weaknesses Paul is telling us today that His power will rest upon us and we will be strong in our weaknesses.
        Let me quote the words of Helen Keller “Without this faith there would be little meaning in my life. I should be “a mere pillar of darkness in the dark.” Observers in the full enjoyment of their bodily senses pity me, but it is because they do not see the golden chamber in my life where I dwell delighted; for, dark as my path may seem to them, I carry a magic light in my heart. Faith, the spiritual strong searchlight, illumines the way, and although sinister doubts lurk in the shadow, I walk unafraid towards the Enchanted Wood where the foliage is always green, where joy abides, where nightingales nest and sing, and where life and death are one in the Presence of the Lord”.- Helen Keller, from Midstream, My Later Life
          Our faith and our dependence on God Make our life meaningful amidst of all weaknesses that we have. The power of God makes us strong even though we have weaknesses in life. Christian life is a choice to endure these weaknesses but we will be victoriously face and overcome these weaknesses by the power and grace of God. God is telling us “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
 PRAYER
Lord we thank you for your grace that abounds in our weaknesses. Continue to pour out your grace that strengthens us in our weaknesses. Amen
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“I carry a magic light in my heart. Faith..”
Rev. V. M. Mathew. Dharma Jyothy Vidhya Peeth, Faridabad

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