Please note: This article is from the Intouch.org app by Charles Stanley. An Open Door to God’s Glory In the eyes of the Lord, our weakness is simply an invitation to His greatness. Our world scorns weakness and imperfection, but that doesn’t mean we should. By: Ginger Garrett “Loving God, show me the truth about myself, no matter how wonderful it may be,” wrote author Cecil Murphey. In private assessments of ourselves, as we begin our New Year’s resolutions, it’s not usually all our wonderful qualities that come to mind first. Most of us start by focusing on our flaws and faults. We make decisions based on behaviors that need to be changed and imperfections we wish we could overcome. As believers, if all we acknowledge about ourselves is the negative, is that the whole picture? And is that what is most important? Perhaps what we really need is not a list of changes to be made, but a list of realities to be embraced. By challenging our beliefs and choosing to accept a “living and active” truth (Heb. 4:12), we can transform every aspect of our lives. But where to start? David points to the answer. He writes, “I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well” (Ps. 139:14). Notice that before the king considered his physical body, he praised the Lord. Glorifying a marvelous God cancels out the temptation to disparage and insult ourselves. Praising our Lord is how we begin to acknowledge the truth that we, too, are His marvels. After all, we can’t both rightly sing praise and whisper criticisms. Embracing eternal truth always brings freedom, but freedom is not always comfortable. Godly freedom is a bright light that pierces the darkness and calls to the lost (Matt. 5:15). It declares that we belong first, and only, to God. We are not under the world’s authority and have riches, gifts, and pleasures that others know nothing of. But if others want to receive these same blessings, they must receive the same Savior. Much of the world refuses to say yes to the loving, liberating Messiah we know. And if they do not believe they are here because of the Creator’s good pleasure, they must manufacture a reason to justify their lives. They are like unsigned works of art. Without an artist to claim ownership, a work’s only value comes from its appearance. That’s why they must appear successful, fit, and competent. They face relentless temptation to hate themselves and despise every type of weakness and failure. Their ultimate worth hangs in the balance. The way they see it, there is no comfort for anyone who cannot meet this false standard. And in a fallen world, things go wrong. Accidents happen. Opportunities are lost. Failure is commonplace. Only believers have real hope. Paul said, “I am well content with weaknesses . . . for when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:10). Because God promised that His power was perfected in our failings, the apostle celebrated what others could only grieve. Paul wanted God’s power at work in him more than he wanted perfection. As believers, we are blessed like Paul: weakness brings fresh intimacy with God and unexpected glory to God. Through frailty, we can draw the lost to Jesus like a lighthouse blazing over dark, storm-plagued waters. And while we shine, we sing our praises with deep gratitude, because our weakness has an expiration date. The Great Physician and Wonderful Counselor may heal today and will absolutely heal later. Wholeness in every possible sense is our guaranteed destiny. Only believers can honor themselves and their lives as masterpieces from the master Artist. Only we bear His seal of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13). And there is a second, secret blessing that God gives us: nothing can diminish our worth. My husband illustrated this lesson to our children by folding, then crumpling, then rolling up a dollar bill. Nothing he did changed the value, only the appearance. Likewise, our worth was secured on the cross. Because we don’t live by artificial standards, we don’t have to be ashamed when we cannot meet them. In this New Year, may every weakness be an open door for God’s glory. May every failure reveal God’s love for you in greater detail. And may this be the year that you, too, declare that you are wonderfully made and content with weakness. If anyone has any questions, comments or prayer requests, please feel free to leave a comment or inbox me anytime. Take care and may our gracious and merciful God bless you all.
Posted on: Mon, 09 Jun 2014 22:47:34 +0000
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