How Strong Are You?


The title of this post is also the theme for an event this Saturday where I have been asked to speak to a group of men from this topic. The individual that asked me to speak is a relative stranger, so I really don't know what he expects me to say, but as soon as he mentioned the theme I was drawn to the scripture that contains the words, "my strength is made perfect in weakness".

In the last week I encountered a volatile situation. To be more specific, a volatile church situation. To be even more specific, a volatile church situation involving grown Christian men. From my perspective they are both right and the both will win and they both will have their way. NOT! From what I see their strength has the ability to doom an entire congregation. This situation calls for a weak man?

This Saturday I hope I can help these men see that the most dangerous man on earth is a strong man. A man that is strong in his awareness of his strength and in the power of his might, as opposed to the suggestion of Ephesians 6:10 saying "be strong in the Lord, and in the power of HIS might."

This Saturday if any man sticks his chest out and reminds me that wives are supposed to submit themselves to their husbands, I will hold my bird chest in and tell them that in the same chapter the Bible says, "Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church - a love marked by giving, not getting." (MSG) I think Otis Redding would say, Try a Little Tenderness."

This Saturday I hope I can impress upon them the fact that a man with all the answers all the time has become a God unto himself. They need to know that it's OK not to know the answer, as long as they know The Answerer.

I hope I can get them to understand that if they've never been hurt, not physically hurt, but hurt in their soul, then they really haven't lived except unto themselves. For even Jesus was "moved with compassion" when he saw the multitude. Even "Jesus wept" at the sorrow filled events that preceded the raising of Lazarus from the dead.

I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to say or how I'm going to say it, so I think I'll just delight in my oratory weakness and let God handle it.

Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer,
these limitations that cut me down to size -

abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks.
I just let Christ take over!
And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.

2 Corinthians 12:10 The Message

Comments

B. said…
I was reading this blog and the song by William Murphy entitled "Be Strong" came to mind. At times we are stronger than we realize and we must know and understand that God is our strength and we must continually look to Him and not ourselves.
Solomon said…
Thanks for this today SLC. I totally agree with you in your statement,

"I hope I can get them to understand that if they've never been hurt, not physically hurt, but hurt in their soul, then they really haven't lived except unto themselves."

From my experience, I didn't even know who I was until my soul was crushed, and I had to ask Him for guidance. The day I gave up trying to run the show, and ask God for His guidance and care, that's the day I realized what living was all about.

My life will never be the same since that moment. I know He is always there for me.
It so funny how you claim you don't know why you were picked and not sure what you're going to speak about and you just said it "All" here. Take this with you as a Q card and let your "Spirit" speak the rest!

I was so excited to see a post from you. I would have read this if it just said, "Good morning!" I'm so very glad that it said soooo much more. Especially paragraph 4!

Love you!
China
SLC said…
B, Thanks for the comments and summation. I may use that as my closing point.

SOLOMON! Priceless change. Worth the pain.

Big Sis with the Big Smile and Bigger heart. Facebook is cool, but it has it's limits. I hope the fellas receive paragraph four.

Love You and See You Soon.
Mizrepresent said…
I loved this...an it's meaning really sunk in with me...your words and this passage stayed with me all day:

"my strength is made perfect in weakness".

this is true for me...so true. Thanks for sharing.
Mizrepresent said…
Oh and btw...i know your session will be great, if it you say anything near what you've said on this blog, you are surely to enlighten and lead a few.
Strongblkwmn said…
I agree with what Butterfly said. You definitely know what needs to be said. I know you always come up with the words that I need to hear. Those who hear you speak don't know how lucky they are.

"my strength is made perfect in weakness". So true!
Keith said…
Well Said...Well Written.. We are on the same wavelength here..I wrote a post this morning that talks about there being a lesson in defeat and in heartbreak and in
set backs that teaches us how to win and how to move forward, but nowhere near as eloquent as what you've just written here.

Bravo, My friend!! Bravo!!
Shaz said…
I late on my reply...And I agree with ppl, I just want to add...

Thank GOD for you and your strength and wisdom to see them through. I don't know your words will give them the wisdom they need to move ahead.

Btw, welcome back! You've be missed. :-)
Standing Able said…
I love this and what a right now rhema word. My brother, may your lips become the oracles of God! The spirit of God that lives inside of you, will draw men unto you and deliver.

Love ya bro!
Parkay said…
Wow my brother. I can truly see what I've been missing. This post is awesome along with many of the other posts I am still trying to catch up on. I've been out of commission for a few months and a lot has happened since we've last communicated. But God is good and he has awaken new beginnings for me. I went through something similar at my church but this time I didn't allow the enemy to chase me out of "God"s house again. In so many words, I had to go to Ephesians 6, Chapter 10 which states "Put on the Full Armor of God" because we are not up against flesh and blood but principalities, etc, etc, etc.

I refuse to be steered away from the path that God himself has chosen for me. So stay strong my brother and remember that Parkay528 luvs ya. I will be checking you out on a regular from this point on. I love the family pics too ~ PEACE
SLC said…
PARKAY!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU SIS AND I'M SO GLAD TO HEAR FROM YOU I CAN'T SAY IT LOUD ENOUGH. YOUR BLOG FAMILY MISSED YOU, BUT YOU STAYED IN OUR PRAYERS. WELCOME BACK.