2 Corinthians 12:7 The Message
"Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me, 'My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness'. Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become."
I was touched when I read this verse recently. It reminded me how much it cost the Apostle Paul to preach the gospel. He accomplished so much in his lifetime, but never was free from abuse, accidents, opposition, or bad breaks. Sometimes in today's world, especially in the United States, we get lulled into the belief that things should come easily or with very little abuse, accidents, opposition, or bad breaks. Today we are in a time of testing and trial, perhaps a time as trying as any of us have known in our life time. No one really knows because no one knows the future.
My own life, from time to time, has had its share of testing. Sometimes these have come from my own bad choices or ignorance. Others times trials have come because the rain falls on the just and the unjust. In my early days of working for Young Life we got paid "when the money came in". I remember going to the mail box and receiving a real pay check that said the amount was $0.00. That was some shock.... pay for a one month's work...nothing. A short time later I had to take three months off with out pay with a wife and two very young children to support. I found a job working on the railroad for three months and felt lucky to have work. God provided!
I had some painful experiences in relationships that meant the world to me. I thought I would die from the pain but God healed me and made me a better person for it. Through the pain he made me more sensitive, kind and patient.
We really struggled with one of our children. He was not an easy guy to raise and it went on for a long time. I learned to be a better father through it all. Today I am so proud of who he is what he has done with his life.
I left Young Life after many years of service. I loved every minute of it. Young Life had become like a family to me. It was very painful to leave. It took me a year to heal and there were times I thought I would end up pumping gas for a living. But God was faithful. He taught me and by His grace I learned to listen to Him more faithfully.
We may have some very hard times ahead. As much as we want to, we can't deny it. Here at CRISTA we are in the middle of trying to make decisions that are wise and bathed in prayer. Some of these decisions will be difficult on those they affect. I agonize over these decisions. I seek wise council.