Weak Power

By Jarrod Spencer –

Have you ever felt “weak”? Weak in not knowing how to share your faith or not understanding what God can do with your life?

As I was growing up, I had times of discouragement. In the midst of it, I didn’t know what my purpose was here on earth. Frankly, I didn’t understand much about life.

As years continued to unfold, I was able to clearly see one of my purposes for living. My past, which seemed discouraging, had been “built” for encouragement. This became evident as I entered into ministry at age 27. Prior to this, life had led me to believe I was going to be an Athletic Trainer.

After entering into ministry I saw that people hurt—old and young, rich and poor, popular and loners. Everyone needed encouragement. Even the most positive people enjoyed encouragement. As much as I liked to give encourage, at the same time, I enjoyed my fair share of receiving encouragement, too.

This started a process of finding various ways to encourage people. Elements of modern technology have allowed me to encourage several people at the same time. First, it was e-mail. Then, I added text messaging. Both of these mediums are used to encourage hundreds each week.

Even thought I’ve discovered this ministry purpose, life has also revealed my deficiencies. As a minister, I do not know how to answer every question, nor do I hit a homerun with each sermon. In general, I don’t know how to connect with everyone. These are just a few of my weaknesses.

I have learned that in the weaknesses, God is strong. In some of my “blew it” sermons, people have said the most compliments. In times when I didn’t need to be the “know it all,” He comes through more mightily than I could ever imagine. When my wife and I thought we could not have children, He came through with a miracle.

I am awestruck at God on a regular basis. I never would have thought growing up with discouragement would have developed into a mission of encouragement. I never know how going shopping or attending a game will lead to a chance to connect with people, for His glory. My weaknesses have brought about His power more than I can remember. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

PRAYER: God, You are amazing! Thank You for surprising me. Thank You for being powerful though I am weak. You have done some mind-blowing things in my everyday situations. I look forward to what You will do with each day. How will You use me today?

“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 12:9 NIV).

Today’s devotional is by Jarrod Spencer. He is a seeker of God’s surprises in everyday life, looking for ways to be used by God to minister to others. He has a passion for encouraging people through the written word and exercises that passion with blogging and sending out a weekly text of encouragement. You can read more of his writings at http://jarrodspencer.blogspot.com and his church’s website is http://www.colbychurch.com.