“Our God does not need noble characters, as the ground-work of His masterpieces. He can raise up stones as children. He can turn thorns into fir trees, briars into myrtle trees. He can take fishermen from their nets, and publicans from their toll-booths, making them into evangelists, apostles, and martyrs. We are not much by nature -- wild, bad blood may be flowing in our veins; but God will be the more magnified, if from such stones He can raise up children unto Abraham. The miracle of His grace and power will bring more conspicuous glory to His holy Name, in proportion to the unpromising character of the materials on which He works” (F.B. Meyer, Abraham or The Obedience Of Faith).
As Meyer penned these words, perhaps the words which the apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian church so long ago were in the back of his mind. There was a time in his life when Paul felt particularly weak and useless. He doesn’t give us the specifics of the problem but he describes it as “a thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7). He prayed three times, asking the Lord to take it from him. But each time, the Lord said “No.” The lesson for the apostle was that true strength is found in weakness. Why? Because when we are weak, God’s strength is most clearly seen.
Here is how Paul describes it: “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).
Some of God’s mightiest works are accomplished through weak and flawed people. Feeling weak and useless? Great! You are in the perfect position to bring glory to God. He specializes in using imperfect people. Frankly, it’s all He has to work with.
God loves you!
Mike
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