In His Humble Service
Reflections on 2 Corinthians 12:1-10
“But his answer was: My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak.” I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ’s power over me. I am content with weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9&10
Most of this morning a Sunday School song I learned years ago, perhaps you did too, has been going through my mind titled “Jesus Loves Me.” It talks about the relationship that Jesus wants with us, to rely on him. The first verse ends with these words “little ones to him belong, they are weak but he is strong.” It is a simple song that children can pick up quickly and learn to be in the comfort and love of the Lord. They don’t have to prove anything to Jesus, just be in his presence.
The Apostle Paul is telling the people of Corinth, that all the works he does in Jesus’ name is not a point of boasting for him. Any power they see comes from the Lord. Oh yes, early in his work for Jesus he did fall into the pit of taking credit for the things he did, but the Lord confronted him by reminding him that he is serving others for him; not that anything Paul did was by his own efforts. So a pain or inflection (we don’t know really what that was) so that whatever Paul experienced was because of the Lord. Whatever praise he received it was for the Lord. Whatever trials or insults or hardships he experienced were for the Lord. At one time Paul wanted God to take away this pain he felt, but the message received: God’s grace was all he needed because, in Paul’s weakness, he (God) is strong. What Paul experienced and what all who do the work of the Lord was humble service. We may be called to the home of a family that recently experienced a death in the house. We may feel reluctant in going for that visit, because what are we going to say? But we need to remember that our Lord precedes us in that home, he is already there ministering to their needs, you just need to share the words they need to hear and the hugs they receive; that’s your job, healing their feelings and souls is the Holy Spirits work.
Perhaps you are called to lay hands on someone who is sick. During your prayer, you feel a power surge go through your hands. You feel or may even speak the words, did that come from me? The answer is no, it came from the Lord, but through you. Remember, in humble service we work and speak for the Lord to comfort and heal his people. So for us, as for Paul, if there is any boasting to be done it is for the Lord.
Dear Lord, I desire to be or stay in humble service to others for you. Direct me in the ways you want me to go, to share your word with people who need to hear your voice. Thank you for the grace you show me every day. Amen.