Serving Bread

(This devotional series is inspired by seven quotes attributed to Henrietta Mears. Her life inspired a generation of men and women to let Scripture speak directly to their hearts for the sake of seeing the world transformed.)

I believe my greatest spiritual asset throughout my entire life has been my failing sight, for it has kept me absolutely dependent upon God.

Implication: The Apostle Paul knew that in his weakness, Christ is made even stronger. The story of the people of God kept affirming that in the things that we deem as weaknesses are what God would use to 1. Teach that character about obedience; 2. To remind the people of God that God will come through.

Reflection: Henrietta Mears saw her greatest spiritual asset as something that was a weakness. If I struggled with failing sight for the entirety of my life, I would feel discouraged and complain that I don’t have all the assets necessary to make an impact for the kingdom. I can focus on my weaknesses as deficits rather than as means for me to be dependent upon God.

If my ministry comes out of being, then weaknesses are not deficits, but opportunities for me to be even more reliant on God. For example, one area that I find myself at a deficit is with my time. I am a primary care-giver with my children and I find myself frustrated that I cannot give more of myself to ministry. I begin to believe the lie that if I had more time, I would accomplish so much more in my ministry. The truth is that whatever I regard as weaknesses, I must turn to God and let him inform and shape that particular situation. Nothing is wasted in God’s economy, even my time.

Application: Practice gratitude. Thank God for the weaknesses that reveal his strength and grace.