Choosing weakness

Strength is overrated. 

If Paul’s words are true – that God’s strength is made perfect in weakness – then seeking out revelation on weakness, surrendering to it, embracing it, living it out, walking in it, should become the abiding hallmark of our lives.

But usually it isn’t. Weakness is a gift, a gift that we often scorn, despise and reject. We seek strength, or a semblance of it. It takes a toll. We take great pains to hide our weaknesses. Some construct a world of ideas and seek refuge within. Intellectual abstractions distract them from facing up to reality. Others tighten their grip on life and relationships to maintain the illusion of control, sucking out the joy of life, killing freedom.

Ten years in Timor-Leste have taught me that I am not in control of life at all. The car tyre punctures as we arrive to take people out on a picnic. A blackout hits as I start to cook a meal I’ve planned on the drive home.  Travel plans get put on hold because of family circumstances. I have seen through the illusion of control, and I yield to the surprises and shocks of life.

But to give up illusions of strength is probably harder. In the natural, difficult circumstances cause us to summon up our strength. We toughen up. We soldier on. It’s what we have always been taught to do, but it is contrary to God’s way. 

His way looks more like Calvary. It looks like falling down, and getting up, and moving on in meekness and vulnerability. It looks like abandonment to divine grace, divine will and divine timing, even if the road leads to a painful death. If Jesus died in weakness, then surely we have permission to be weak too.