Knowing Your Emptiness Reveals His Fullness

Paul was keenly aware of his shortcomings. He talks about being the chief of sinners, the worst of sinners and the least of the Apostles. But what is interesting is how Paul constantly views his shortcomings as God-given for purposes that God uses!

In 1 Corinthians, he writes about how the church needs to stop segregating around which preacher they particularly like. That they should be of one mind united in Christ.  He talks about how he didn't baptize many but gave himself fully to preaching the Gospel of Christ. Then he says this:

1 Corinthians 1:17 (ESV) For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

He knows Christ sent him to preach. He also knows the manner in which Christ sent him to preach! "not with words of eloquent wisdom"... I like that admission of Paul's. In other words, "I'm not a great orator. I'm not an impressive preacher. I'm simply a man who knows what to preach and not necessarily great at how I preach it."

He knows there was a divine purpose for this weakness. So that the Cross would get all the credit for the work of converting the soul. No one would be able to say, "Paul is very convincing and interesting to listen to, so I believe."  No one would leave the church meeting talking about how great Paul was. They would leave talking about how incredible the cross was!

I wonder what would happen if we started to see our weaknesses in the same way. If we stopped complaining about them and started realizing that the things we cannot do well might be the best opportunity for God to get glory. 

Not that I think you should lead worship if you can't sing.  Please, do us all a favor and stay in the congregation. No, Paul could preach clearly, he just didn't have eloquence. He got the message out, but the manner in which it was presented made clear the content trumped the charisma behind it. And so the Cross was made full.

Perhaps the limitation you see in your life (not a moral limitation) is actually assigned to you by God so that He alone can take the credit for the powerful things He does through you. Perhaps the challenging area of your life is the area God wants to powerfully use as testimony for others.  I can't speak for you, but I can agree with Paul... I don't want my fullness to trump God's greatness. My fullness is arrogance and foolish to begin with. Apart from Him I can do nothing.

When you are empty in your own power and strength, when you are at the end of your rope, God is usually ready and waiting to carry you on. Your emptiness reveals God's fullness, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

PRAYER:
Father, glorify Your Name in what I cannot do well. I want this to be the reality of my life. That even in my weakness and frailty Your Name is hallowed. I pray Christ gets the credit for all the good I ever do. In Jesus' Name! Amen.