A Counter-Intuitive Lenten Reflection

Good morning,
                “Whenever I am weak, then I am strong.”  What in the world?  I spend mammoth amounts of energy trying to be strong – and teach my children to make that a cornerstone of their lives.  And then I read this statement in this morning’s reading: Don’t take yourself so seriously.  Immediately I launch a fusillade of objections:  “But life is serious!  I have a to-do list too full to get done!  I’m a pastor, I have a serious job to do.”
I read on and my guard drops; Anxiety wraps you up in yourself, trapping you in your own thoughts.  Stop and read that sentence again.  Isn’t that true?  Anxiety is rooted deeply within me.  As in that fisherman’s prayer; “The ocean is so big, my boat is so small.”  The world overwhelms me. 
                And the Lord said - “My grace is enough; it’s all you need.  My strength come into its own in your weakness.”  So it is good to recognize, admit to, even embrace, our weakness – it keeps us turning to God , who is our strength.  When I am weak, God can become strong through.  Counter-intuitive, spiritual wisdom.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Michael
Scripture passages are found in II Corinthians 12: 9-10.  This morning’s reading is from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.