when I am weak, then I am strong

I've never really understood why Apostle Paul would want to boast of his weaknesses. Isn't it such an uncomfortable feeling to be reminded of our needs and our weaknesses? Isn't it very disempowering? We should highlight people's strengths, strengths-based psychologists' say.

Or perhaps, Paul was trying to be an "underdog". You know, like how people support the underdogs in a competition. It sometimes feels good to support the weaker person and give him/her sympathy votes. Or maybe supporters just want to be different by voting for someone more "unique", a way of getting some sort of power/influence if you are not that powerful.

Today was indeed quite a new experience for me, perhaps, even humbling and challenging.

I invited a friend for church easter service.

I woke up this morning wondering what kind of programmes that I should ask my friend to go for in church. Perhaps a programme for her to go for that could get all her questions about Christianity answered, or maybe to join my Bible study group (which I don't even go for these days). God  impressed upon me, as I was in a half-awake state, "You know what? Don't invite your friend for  programmes, you go and share with her your faith".

Ahh.. the most humbling and challenging words.

Challenging, because I wonder if someone like me could be equipped enough to answer all her questions and respond in the best possible manner. I am not an apologist, I'm not eloquent, I'm not good enough! I don't have all the knowledge in the world, I don't have all the experience and wisdom in the world. I am flawed, I have personal issues and challenges, sometimes in my own faith as well. Like, wouldn't it be better if I just refer her to my pastor, or group leader? Anyone but me.

Humbling, because God still calls someone as flawed as me to go and share His good news to the world. This is divine news we're talking about. I can't believe I am qualified to share this news.

And so I went to church with my friend, remembering Christ's final words to His disciples, to go and make disciples. Not to go and invite them for programmes. I realise that she doesn't have to come to church, and I don't have to ask her to come for our programmes. Church services and programmes are secondary. What's essential is for me to go to her and share my life with her, regardless of her response.

I also was reminded about how when Christ was on earth, His ministry was really about people - meeting their basic needs, their felt needs and their real needs. He wasn't on earth conducting entertaining rallies of Himself. He was with the people in the day-to-day, moment by moment.

And if I think I'm not good enough, that's okay, really, in fact, even better that I think this way of myself. Because it's not about how good I am, but how good Jesus is. And I just want to proclaim His goodness to me - My weaknesses and insecurities are all paid for on the cross that He died.  I can be fully accepted by God and have a relationship with God on an unconditional basis. That's how great my God is, and how great Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is for me.

No wonder Apostle Paul boasts of his weaknesses. Because what is amazing about God is that He is grace is sufficient to cover all our weaknesses. He is that great, that we need not be great by ourselves, and we can be strong because He lives in us.

⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. ⁹ 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10

Happy Easter! :) Christ is risen and He lives. :)