1I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. 3And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell. 5I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 6Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say.
7To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But 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. 10That 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.
It has been a long two months since I last posted in my so-called "blog of encouragement;" the sole purpose of which was to uplift my brothers and sisters in Christ. Friends, I must apologize for failing to do what God has called me to. In my blogging absence, I have endured much mentally and emotionally that has kept me from posting. I felt I had nothing to give. This is never true! God has given me so much, yet my finite human mind forgets time and again how sufficient His grace is. Why do I fall so often in front of the One who gave me everything? I guess the simple answer is that I'm human. I struggle with that... my humanity.
I always bring you something out of my own conviction when I come to type. Often I find that whatever God is using to encourage me in my life echoes what you all are going through (and I use the word "all" lightly knowing my readership...) But for the handful that do read, I feel I must persevere. I have had a highly stressful week. I have a lot on my plate, a lot going on, and I keep freaking out. Every time I do this, I hear a still, small voice saying "My grace is sufficient." And I've been ignoring it. Then this morning, I'm reading The Unquenchable Worshipper by Matt Redman for one of my classes (the chapter I should have read for Monday, but I digress...) and through his words it becomes so clear. I have been missing the point this entire time!
Redman talks about when Paul and Silas were in prison. They had been severely beaten, thrown into jail, and had their feet in stocks. If anyone had a reason to let their circumstances dictate their mood, it was them. But what did they do? They sang praises to God! Can you imagine being in that situation? Suddenly my massive amount of homework, my car troubles, my finances- they don't seem so big. Has God ever not provided? Has He ever let me down? Of course the answer is a resounding NO! So why would He start now? I am just wondering how much of His beauty I've missed this week because I was filled with worry and doubt...
In one of my classes last week we watched a short devotional video. The interviewer went around asking people what was most important to them in life. Most said they weren't sure. Some said money, family, their health, or some other facet of this American life. One person said God. Then a simple question filled the screen: "What is most important to God?" The answer? YOU! I hate those chain emails that circulate, but the best line from one I always remember goes, "If God has a fridge, your picture would be on it." He is our Dad, first and foremost. We are His children and He only wants what is best for us. It might hurt sometimes, but His grace is sufficient. It was enough for Paul and Silas- it's enough for you and me.
Your Grace is Enough
by Chris Tomlin
Great is Your faithfulness oh God
You wrestle with the sinner's heart
You lead us by still waters and to mercy
And nothing can keep us apart
So remember Your people
Remember Your children
Remember Your promise Oh God
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me
Great is Your love and justice
God You use the weak to lead the strong
You lead us in the song of Your salvation
And all Your people sing along
So remember Your people
Remember Your children
Remember Your promise Oh God
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me
Your grace is enough
Heaven reaching down to us
Your grace is enough for me
God I see your grace is enough
I'm covered in your love
Your grace is enough for me
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