#BoldBeliefDevotional by Paul Natekin
Key Bible Verse:
“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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
Have you ever felt that your abilities or inabilities were holding you back from serving God? It’s easy to think we need to have it all together to be useful in God’s plan. But what if God is more interested in our willingness to be available than in our perceived capabilities?
Apologetic Insight:
(from Greek ἀπολογία, ‘speaking in defense’) Defending and explaining faith with reason and evidence.
The idea that God uses our weaknesses to display His strength is a recurring theme in Scripture and Christian thought. As J. Warner Wallace points out in “Cold-Case Christianity,” “God often uses the least likely candidates to accomplish His purposes, showcasing His power through human frailty.” Similarly, John Lennox in “Against the Flow” highlights how God’s choice of people like Moses, who stuttered, or David, the youngest son, shows that God’s power is not limited by our human limitations but is made perfect in them.
This perspective aligns with the words of Christ to Paul in 2 Corinthians, where God reassures Paul that His grace is enough, and His power is made perfect in our weaknesses. God doesn’t require us to be strong or perfect; He asks for our availability to let His power work through us.
Encouragement & Application:
When you feel inadequate or doubt your ability to serve God, remember that your availability is what matters most to Him. Instead of focusing on what you can or cannot do, focus on being open to God’s leading. Here are some practical steps:
- Pray for openness: Ask God to make you more available to His will, even in your weaknesses.
- Serve in small ways: Look for opportunities where you can serve, even if they seem minor. God can multiply the impact of small actions.
- Seek community: Engage with a faith community where you can both give and receive support, sharing your struggles and victories.
Reflection Questions:
- How does the idea that God uses our weaknesses change your view of your own capabilities?
- What small step can you take today to make yourself more available to God’s work?
Prayer:
Father, thank You for the reminder that You are not limited by my weaknesses. Help me to be available to You, trusting in Your grace and strength. Show me how to serve You, not out of my own strength, but through Your power made perfect in me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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