Tag: 2 Corinthians

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Boasting in Weakness

A color drawing of a cross on green hills and a sky of golden yellow clouds. The text reads: I boast in my weakness because I believe God's grace is sufficient. 2 Cor. 12:9. #writingaffirmation amydagit.com
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)—But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Do you ever feel awkward sharing your writing with others? I sure do. Especially when I write devotionals and share intimate moments of my life, that is, those occasions when I display weakness.

After reading this verse, though, I feel better about sharing. When I write and share about my weaknesses, I am boasting in God’s power and the effect it’s had on my life. Moreover, through examples of my weaknesses, God can strengthen the faith of others and draw them nearer to him.

Think about his power the next time you’re biting your lip, wondering if you want to share a personal moment with an audience. Whose life might he change by drawing upon your weakness to perform his work? Indeed, by his grace, our weakness is powerful.

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Laboring for God

The camera’s fall from a wooden post on a mountain in Switzerland.
2 Corinthians 11:23 (ESV)—Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death.

The camera survived the fall. Twice. Once toppling from the bed onto a hardwood floor in a Pittsburgh bed and breakfast, and once tumbling from a wooden post on a mountain in Switzerland.

Not to boast, but that’s one resilient camera.

Like my camera, the apostle Paul survived a “fall” more than once in his life. He did not fall from God, though, but rather experienced falls of punishment for spreading the message of salvation. These falls could have sank his spirit. He could have given up. Pushed God’s ministry aside. But he did not. He strove to spread God’s message despite floggings and imprisonment. He did more than survive; he worked for Christ again and again.

Sounds exhausting, no? Yes, but Paul found endurance from boasting…in the Lord. Not in himself or his part in God’s ministry. He labored for God again and again because he knew effective service comes from God.

Like Paul, are we boasting in Christ again and again? Are we serving with our entire being the God who created us with the ability to bounce back from difficult situations and push forward in his ministry?

I hope the answer is a resounding “Yes!” and I pray our “afflictions, hardships, [and] calamities” (2 Corinthians 6:4, ESV) encourage us to labor for the One who created us in his image.