2007-05-23 - Sufficient for My Needs

2 Cor 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (KJV)

Have you ever struggled with what to say?

I visited the family of a friend this weekend. The husband and father of the family has both colon and liver cancer. I have known his wife for more years than either of us would like to admit. I know him, but not nearly as well. How do you walk into someone's trial and what do you say? I felt compelled to speak with him. He has to have questions, and he needs answers. If things go badly, time could be very short.

I had thought about what I might say and the few things that came together were not right. When I sat down with him, he was very quiet and tired. In a minute, God opened my mouth and heart to this man I haven't known well and I left knowing that he could feel comfortable asking whatever he needed to ask. I had no idea how it was going to go or what was going to happen, but God knew. With a little trust from my vast weakness, the doorway is open for questions about eternity and God's plan for him. I can honestly tell you I had very little to do with it. The seeds are planted.

The conversation lasted only a few minutes and he was too tired and weak to answer. It was a rough day for him. But God worked to reach him. I ask for prayers for the conversations that will come and for the family.

The longer we walk with Christ, the more and more clear it becomes that we know far less than we thought, and we are far weaker than we imagined. When we begin to realize this and accept the strength God wants to provide for us, things happen. When Peter, James, John, Phillip and the others knew they had met the Messiah, the gave up their strengths of fishing and business and took up preaching - stumbling and struggling along the way. Because of their faithfulness, the church exploded at Pentecost. Because of Paul's submission on the road to Damascus, the message continued to spread abroad through his life made useful to the Lord.

The challenge is to move one step at a time, like the fishermen on the Sea of Galilee who became Christ's disciples, away from your comfort zone. His magnificent strength can fill in the cracks of our frail hearts and minds to extend His reach and voice if we will trust Him. Only a few preachers stand in pulpits, and more messages are heard in quiet moments, sometimes without words, than are heard in church buildings.

Dear Lord - thank You for Your love and support during the difficult times in our lives when we are stretched and pulled out of where we believe we are strong. When we see your power at work, we catch a glimpse of genuine power to change hearts and lives forever. Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Mike

mike.hoskins@cfdevotionals.org
http://www.cfdevotionals.org