I often find a desire in myself to hide the fact that “ik ben Amerikan.” Mostly I want to hide my lack of proficiency with Dutch. You might say I try to hide my weakness. The animal kingdom is full of behaviors meant to create impressions of strength, like a snakes raising its head high to seem taller and more threatening. The problem is that my defensive behavior may also hide my Christianity, and may even be the cause of missed opportunities to speak to someone about faith.

When I was thirty I took a seminary class called “Lifelong Leadership.” A central theme of the course was the idea that at some point in every Christian’s life he or she should understand how God built him or her (spiritual gifts, passions, and acquired skills). Then one’s best contribution to building God’s kingdom is made when working out of those strengths. I like that. I get to think about what I am good at, what I like to do, and I can put away the things I find difficult or unpleasant…because, as you know, I am not gifted in evangelism, I am not passionate about administration, and I have never learned a second language before. I like that…and I don’t like that. It makes sense…and it’s nonsense.

My strengths? Serving in strength is a ridiculous idea. When I am weak, then I am strong. That was the view of Paul in 1 Corinthians. The story that really illustrates this to me is found in Mark 2. Jesus is teaching in a crowded house and in desperation the friends of a paralyzed man lower him through the roof. You might know the story (if not take this link: Marcus 2). I won’t give the whole story, but think about this. Jesus used the paralyzed man, the guy who of everyone in that place had the least to offer for the cause of Christ, to demonstrate he is the Son of God and has authority to forgive sins. What was the man’s strength? His weakness. And Jesus used that for his glory.

Perhaps the trick is to give your gifts, passions, and skills to God and admit they don’t amount to much without God’s Spirit at work in us. We also have to offer our weaknesses (fear, disabilities, emotional baggage) and invite Jesus to be glorified in those as well. So here are a couple questions for you to consider.

  1. What weakness(es) do you try to hide?
  2. How might God be glorified through that weakness?
  3. What are your strengths?  Evaluate your view and use of them.