Tuesday, January 05, 2010

Weakness and productivity

In the perspectives of the world today, it seems wise that weakness and productivity does not mix. When there is weakness, there is no productivity. Is that really the case? Is that what is on your mind as well?

How can weakness becomes productive? On what basis do one work upon to overcome the very fact that weakness is possibly failure, and weakness is not something we develop upon. But I'm not convinced, especially when I look at apostle Paul's life. The thorn in his flesh, is like a weakness in Him, and many times, he has urged the believers to turn back to the source of strength - which is God.

Weakness produces dependence - dependence, reliance not on the things of self, achievements, capabilities or stuff, but it is dependence and reliance in God, in who God is, in the power of God, of which (to us) is incomprehensible, and unimaginable. That's why at times, seems so hard to trust. But the 2 scriptures below hopefully encourages us to keep trusting God.

2 Cor 4:7-9 "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."

2 Cor 4:16-18 " 16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

Over 2009, it seems like this is what God has been showing me. I don't boast about my strength, but rather, I am taken to see the weaknesses in my own life. The year of looking at weaknesses brings me to a point of desperation before God, to ask for more of Him in my life. It felt like a long year of been incapable (maybe even incapacitated) to lead, to do the things of God. Many times when I look at my weakness, I don't feel like doing it anymore, but "faithfulness" is a concept or perhaps more so a conviction, that has pushed me to continue doing it, not for anything, but for God. I was reading a book "Jesus" by Charles Swindoll, and when reading about what Jesus went through at the Garden of Gethsemane, I realise that the pain and temptations that He has to go through is way more than how one can ever imagine. And for Him to be able to say "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will but as You will" (Matthew 26:39). My heart at that very point, just felt that if Jesus has gone through all that, he's probably able to understand all my weaknesses, and how I felt through all of it. Even the temptation of giving it up, Jesus have felt it too.

It seems like it is one's choice to live out 2 Cor 4:16-18 (as above). I have concluded 2009 with that scripture, and I am determined to keep living it out (as per 2 Cor 4:16-18) for 2010 and years ever after. I pray that God will humble me to always be reminded 2 things : Do not lose heart; and Keep my eyes on Him, on the eternal things of God (which I do not see with my physical eyes) - it requires a faith response !