âIn our society, strength (or, at least imagined strength) is applauded; and weakness is thought of as a defect. God doesnât allow us to stay with the idea that we are strong. Oh, we may have that idea, but the Lord is going to disabuse us one way or another.â â J.I. Packer, âWeakness is the Wayâ
Fridayâs Prayer: Ask God for gospel grace to honestly tell your story to others.
The older I get, the less impressed I am with bravado in Christian leaders. It contradicts that Scriptures at so many levels it is difficult for me to understand why I ever thought it was a characteristic Christians should have. Whether it is the T.V. preacher with swagger or the tough-talking theological type, the model of strong Christian that I was exposed to as a young, enthusiastic Christian was just such a figure.
Jesus has a different plan for us. Itâs called humility. Itâs called brokenness before Him and others.
âBe completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another.â – Ephesians 4:2
I canât wait to read the great J.I. Packerâs latest book, âWeakness is the Way.â If you will watch the YouTube trailer for it, you, too, will find yourself saying, âI want to hear what this guy has to say.â Packer references Paulâs struggle with pride found in 2 Corinthians 12:1-10. Paul says with clarity that to keep him from becoming conceited, God allowed a struggle to continue in Paulâs life â one that would require Him to daily see Godâs grace to cope. Godâs power could and would only be demonstrated and appropriated in Paulâs life when he was was weak. Then God could be strong.
The fourth component of Prismâs âStrategyâ to reach others is to yieldâ¦to obey God.
P.R.A.Y. â Position ourselves to befriend others, Request Godâs help opening doors, Avail ourselves to our friends, and Yield to Godâs plan to speak for Him.
Yielding to Godâs plan for many of us is simply a willingness to allow others to see us as weak. It is precisely at the moment when we humble ourselves that Jesus gets to show up and be the hero.
âGod opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.â â James 4:6
Have a great weekend!
Chuck Ryor
Prism Church, P.O. Box 70677, Pasadena, (626) 765-9410 or visit www.prismchurch.com.