"...for my strength is made perfect in weakness.." - 2 Corinthians 12:9
God's way often is not the way of strength but the path of brokenness and weakness. Vance Havner once stated "Before God uses a man mightily he weakens him." I believe that God allows seasons of brokenness and weakness in order for us to experience His power and strength. Maybe today you are not feeling as strong as you were a few weeks ago. Maybe there is a sense of vulnerability and concern. Take heart! God loves to use weakened people so that He may show you His power and strength!
I love the story I heard years ago of a 10-year-old boy who decided to study judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident. The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master. The boy was doing well, so he couldn't understand why, after three months of training the master had taught him only one move.
"Sensei," the boy finally said, "Shouldn't I be learning more moves?" "This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you'll ever need to know," the sensei replied. Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training.
Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals.
This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened. "No," the sensei insisted, "Let him continue."
Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament. To his surprise and the surprise of everyone present, he was the champion!
On the way home, the boy and sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind. "Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?"
"You won for two reasons," the sensei answered. "First, you've almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defence for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm."
The boy's biggest weakness had become his biggest strength. Don't despise this season of weakness today, embrace it. God is going to teach you and show you just how strong He wants to be for you! And who knows? He may be preparing you for something greater than you could have possible imagined. Cooperate with Him today and allow His grace and presence to be your source of strength today!
*Photo by Samuel Castro on Unsplash