Monday, September 8, 2003
Monday, September 8, 2003
Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a
messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to
the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for
power is made perfect in weakness."
"That's incredible," said the recruiter. "Tell me," he said, "Do you have any weaknesses?"
"Well," said the youngster sheepishly, "I do have a tendency to exaggerate." We all have
weaknesses. There are no perfect "10s" in this world. That may be a difficult thing for some of
us to admit. For example, 90% of men rank themselves above average in athletic ability. Men
sometimes exaggerate. Some of us are legends in our own minds. We all have our
weaknesses.
Some of our weaknesses are physical, some are mental, some are moral. Some of those
weaknesses have to do with our work, some with our family life, some with our relationship with
Christ. Some of us, for example, have short tempers, others of us lack diplomacy. Some of us
are too proud, others of us lack back-bone. There are no perfect "10s."
Paul had his weaknesses. One in particular caused him much heartache. We don't know for
certain what it was. He called it his "thorn in the flesh." No matter our weakness, Christ can
make us stronger.
(2 Corinthians 12.7-9
NRSV)
A college recruiter interviewed a high school basketball star. The recruiter said, "I hear you're
pretty good." "The best there is," the player replied. "I averaged 45 points per game. I was the
best rebounder in my high school. And I led our team to three undefeated seasons and three
state championships."
Dear Jesus, help me to be stronger in my relationship with our Father in heaven. Amen.
