I want to remind you that God often uses—not our strengths—but our weaknesses. Remember Paul, and his thorn in the flesh. God eventually said:
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 dwell in me(2 Corinthians 12:9). Here was a supremely gifted man—intellectually, oratorically; he had an energy drive, organisational skills, pastoral sensitivity, preaching skills—Paul had it all but he says, what I am boasting in, are my weaknesses.There are some times in life when we have to suffer, when we have to opt out, when we have to stay still, when we have to say,
Edward DonnellyI am sorry, for good and adequate reason, I cannot help. I cannot be involved.That does not mean your disqualified. Perhaps God is using you far more than you realise. The elderly in our congregation—those laid aside—are we to say that God’s not using them? Those of you who visit them, do you ever leave them unblessed? Are you not always challenged, helped? My strength is made perfect in weakness. Strong or weak—the power and the blessing always come from God.1
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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.