Christ above me, very God of very God,
Christ below me, incarnate of the dust,
Christ at my right hand in my strength,
Christ at my left hand in my weakness,
Christ before me when seen,
Christ behind me when unseen,
Christ all around me filling all things,
everywhere with Himself,
Christ within me formed by faith.
~ Based on The Breastplate of St. Patrick, Lover of The Triune G_d
I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave 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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
~ paul, The Least of The Apostles, in 2 Corinthians 12
Oh beloved, it is true.
It’s true, but we are so wont to ignore reality. And nearly every signal that comes into a person in this post-modern world tells us to “just believe in ourselves,” or to “live our own truth.” It is so pervasive that it seems like the whole world has voted this into being.
The problem, though, is that none of this is true, for truth is not up for a vote. Even if every person on the planet believes that we have the strength to live our own lives, it does not make it true. Still, this virus of self-reliance – and even self-definition of reality – pervades this fallen world.
And if we are honest, we know it. While our emotions may tell us we can make it on our own, Something Deep calls out to the deep within us and shows us that there is a far better Source of Strength for our lives.
The point is profound, but actually simple (as profound things usually are). Truth – and not my opinion – is eternal. It does not change. Rather, truth was settled in the eternal court of The Ancient of Days. And since it does not change, it is the only real basis upon which any strength can arise.
Can we see it?
So, this idea that truth or strength arises from within ourselves is a bit like saying that sand is a great foundation for a building by the seashore. Silly if we think about it. But, instead of utilizing reality as a basis for our decisions, we choose the fleeting gossamer strands of Autumn, that drive us into an existential dark winter.
What if we (including this fool of a writer) simply admitted – like the Apostle Paul – that we are weak… That we have infirmities, hardship, and calamities (mostly of our own making)? Oh beloved, catch this. Admitting a weakness does not spell impending doom. No! Admitting our weakness is the key that opens the floodgates of reality.
And in reality we find the firmest of firm foundations. So firm, in fact, that “firm” is but a linguistic shadow of the true reality of reality. We now work from a foundation that flows from the very Word that spoke all of reality into existence, and Whose Word does not change – ever.
So, are you struggling with surrender to G_d because you think you will be lost in the process? Turn this thought around. The thin strands of dust that you were counting on are useless in forever. You will not be lost, rather it is the foolish ideas within us that we will lose, and we will be grounded to not only to the reality of G_d, but also everything else that He is: Triune Love, The Gracious Power to Do Christ’s Will, The Author and Finisher of Our Faith, and The Comforter, Whose comfort flows from the same basis we are no standing upon. Oh! And He is infinitely more than even the above!
Admitting our weakness is the key to our escape. Cut the gossamer and cobwebs; land on Truth. Then let The One Who Is Truth, supply everything else.
Tonight is your night. Take the key of weakness, and open the door to His strength.
I am mended by my sickness, enriched by my poverty, and strengthened by my weakness.
~ Abraham Wright
