Strength in Weakness

Our church presents a live Nativity drive-through coming up this weekend.  And I am pleased and excited about that.  For the most part.  But, honestly, do you know how many things could go wrong with it?  It could be so cloudy that the solar lights for the path don’t work.  Half the cast could get sick.  It could rain.  We might get mobbed with way too many cars.  No one might show up.  We might run out of cookies. 

I sound like a joyful soul, do I not?  Jesus has instructed me on this.  Matthew 6:25 is pretty clear…“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?”  And if he has addressed the basics, I can assume he has the rest covered as well. 

And Paul assures me that all I have to do is ask.  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”  (Philippians 4:6) 

And worry does not plague me in a major way, never has.  But here’s how it works.  I’m loading the dishwasher, writing out Christmas cards, fixing supper.  And there’s this little butterfly of a thought flitting its way through my brain, just out of reach – kind of like when I wake up and try to grab hold of my dream. 

It dances just out of sight, thumbs in ears and tongue stuck out.  “You can never do this.  Think of what could go wrong.  Why on earth would you even try something like this?”  And, if I’m not careful, the butterfly grows to eagle size and my spirit just sinks under the weight.

But if I can reach out and catch that wisp of a thought the instant it first frolics across my vision, I can grab it and listen.  “You CANNOT do this.”  And at that point, I can control it.  All I have to do is smile and agree with it!  “You are so right!  We don’t stand a chance.  But here’s the deal.  This is God’s show and he’s in charge of the details.”

I don’t know if the weather will be good – looks like it at this point.  I see sun forecast for the solar lamps.  The power is working.  The cast seems healthy.  But mainly, I don’t have to worry.  I can be excited, anticipatory, and joyful because God is not relying on us – we're leaning on him.  I hope you’ll join us on Saturday or Sunday night, December 3^rd and 4^th, between 5:30 and 7:30 PM to usher in the Christmas season at our Emmanuel Baptist Church Live Nativity!

2 Corinthians 12:9

And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.