For a few weeks, I’ve had several conversations regarding a statement from our Lead Pastor, John Richardson. Perhaps you remember this sermon and it’s stuck with you, as well.
From the pulpit one Sunday, John mentioned that God’s people should consider taking a spiritual weakness test and those weaknesses would reveal the areas in which they should serve. Elaborating on this idea, he explained, if someone were to find they were not best suited to work with kids, then they should sign up to work in the children’s ministry. One parishioner confirmed this with a hardy hallelujah yelled out from the congregation. John explained further, that when it’s a weakness, you can’t take the credit. It is God working through you and God who should, in turn, receive the glory.
As I mentioned, this sermon must have impacted several because it has spurred several conversations since. In true Millennial fashion, I used a popular search engine to see if spiritual weakness tests existed; as it turns out, the answer seems to be no, at least according to the top five (of thousands) results I was willing to read. Most suggested- spiritual strength tests that would reveal your weaknesses, too.
This left me at a loss. Sure, I could complete one of the many spiritual strength tests, and I have in the past, but what should I truly do to learn more about who I am as a child of God? I think the only way to learn about my identity, my strengths, and my weaknesses is to seek the Word of the Lord.
So first is my identity. It’s easy for me to place value in my job title. I’ve spent years as a classroom teacher; that was me. I was good with kids, had a grasp on the most recent methodology of education, and knew how to teach well and how to make it fun. If someone asked me to explain who I was, I’d quickly announce my profession. It’s not because I didn’t know better or because I didn’t know the Word concerning my identity; it’s because our jobs and the things we do tend to begin to define who we are. Consider this, how many times are you asked what you do for a living when you first meet someone new or you ask the same? Doubtfully you ask about their salvation and if they know Jesus. You seek their identity through other means.
When I decided to leave teaching, a dear friend sent me a devotional; on page one of the book, it explained that my identity is greater than the title I hold. Buying it online, I know she did not know of this coincidence. I know there couldn’t be another explanation besides God reminding me of this, stepping into my new role at church. John 1:12 states, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Your title, child of God, is far greater than any earthly title you could be given. You will never live up to anything else, and coincidently, nothing else is more pivotal.
Strengths and weaknesses go hand in hand. We can't have one without the other, so for the sake of your time, let’s focus on weaknesses, the meat of John’s sermon. Do you have weaknesses? Take a minute to jot any that come to mind down or mull over them in your head. If I’m honest, my list is quite extensive. What does the Bible say about weaknesses, however? In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul quotes Jesus who said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 11:30 reads, “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.”
So how could God use you and me through our weaknesses? Simply put- they are an opportunity for God to give us strength. An opportunity for Him to show up for you and me. What would that mean in ministry? As John mentioned, it’s God giving you the ability to work with children when you otherwise may not have chosen it. It’s the opportunity for God to use your weaknesses and brokenness to work with a teen who may have the same feelings. It’s an opportunity to provide a breakfast snack beside the coffee, when your baking skills may be lacking, to a hungry mother who had to rush out the door and is thankful for a bite to eat. When we allow God to use our weaknesses, and we embrace their existence and need for His intervention, we experience God’s glory and power working through us. Does it mean you supernaturally have changed from weak to strong- no! It means God has chosen you as a vessel and you have the opportunity to experience His presence in your life. It means you serve your purpose on earth and to Him be the glory.
1 Corinthians 1:27, “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:9, "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
I leave you with this… It’s tempting to focus on the things we can do for God, but He has already ordained the works we will do. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Let the things you do be ones that you sought his direction and in turn, give him the glory for his faithfulness in using your weaknesses.
-Angie