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Powerful Weakness

     At least for me, in every season of my life there is a passage that holds particular meaning to me. For a while now I've been "stuck" on 2 Corinthians 12. In it Paul talks about boasting about his weakness, at first glance it seems to be an irrational thought but I've learned to share this same irrational joy about my weaknesses. Don't get me wrong, no one likes being weak, but when you live under the protection of Gods unfailing power, personal deficits can become strangely comforting. You see, in our weaknesses and limitations God's power is demonstrated. It's like that feeling, as a little girl, when Daddy carries you inside from the car you were sleeping in, or he opens the jar that's closed too tight for you. I no longer have to pretend to have it all together, I don't have to rely on my own strength. Strangely, I long the comforting feeling of God's power that only my weaknesses can bring. I'm weak! And I will continue to proclaim that because I deeply long for God's power to work in me.

I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. Even 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, or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That 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.
-2 Corinthians 12:5-10 NIV


 Paige Henry is a school social worker and independent artist in Detroit, MI. Check out her music at http://www.sydneyandpaige.com/
www.facebook.com/sydneyandpaige
Twitter: @PaigeAHenry
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Silence

One reason in particular why I like using my current web browser, especially when it comes to uploading  files, is that it tells me what it's doing. There's no need to incessantly click the upload button. I know that it's uploading, how far along it is in the process and an ideal when it will be finished. No faith required. I don't have to trust that it's doing it's job while I stare at the spinning pinwheel of death. Can you relate this to your spiritual life?

Sometimes God gives us a command, personal conviction, impression or answer followed by a lengthy and seemingly torturous period of silence or inaction. Sometimes we find ourselves in the midst of perplexing trials. We may seek out further confirmation, answers or direction. We want to know what's going on step by step. Sometimes we receive them but, other times we don't. When Lazarus became ill, Martha and Mary sent word to Jesus that Lazarus was sick. Jesus replies "This sickness is not fatal. It will become an occasion to show God's glory by glorifying God's Son." (John 11:4 MSG). I can just imagine that they, especially having the privilege to keep company with Christ and experience His power first hand, thought that His response meant that Lazarus would be healed and that his illness would not result in death. After all He did say it would not be fatal. However, you know the story. Instead of going to Lazarus, Jesus stays where He is for two days and Lazarus dies. Makes you wanna scream promise breaker huh?!

It would seem that when Martha and Mary needed Christ most He never came. We've all have had  experiences where it seemed like exactly what God said wouldn't happen happened, times when we've wondered if God had forgotten about us or was listening to us. But God says, "I don't think the way you think. The way you work isn't the way I work...For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think." (Isaiah 55:8, 9 MSG). We can't put God in a box. He can solve a problem in innumerable ways. When Jesus finally comes and instructs the people to remove the stone of Lazarus' tomb Martha interjects saying "Master, by this time there's a stench. He's been dead four days!" But, "Jesus looked her in the eye. 'Didn't I tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?'". (John 11:39, 40). We too must believe. Jesus isn't leaving us hanging. Sometimes He can show us better than He can tell us. He's not playing games with us. He cares. ("When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled." John 11:33 ESV)

Relax. Enjoy the silence. God is working on your behalf. Though you may not, He knows the plans He has for you. They're plans to prosper you and not to harm you (Jeremiah 29:11).



Sydney is an independent gospel artist and executive director of Uprise. Find her music at sydneyandpaige.com or facebook.com/sydneyandpaige






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      Uprise seeks to increase young adult involvement and membership in local churches, provide current and practical spiritual solutions to the needs of young adults, serve and uplift others, provide Christian cafes and other like events, and support the creation and enhancement of young adult ministries. Find us at facebook.com/experienceuprise or email us at uprisemovement@gmail.com
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