It's hard to imagine that anyone would choose to be weak over being powerful. But the way of Jesus sometimes calls us to do exactly that, with the understanding that somehow in our weakness we have the greatest impact.
Consider now your strengths and your weaknesses, and wonder which of these actually holds the greatest potential in your journey of faith.
To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens!
As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, until he has mercy upon us.
Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us, for we have had more than enough of contempt.
Our soul has had more than its fill of the scorn of those who are at ease, of the contempt of the proud.
Psalm 123
The end.
Many stories end with things turned upside-down. The victim becomes the victor. Then the bully or other bad guy has to beg for mercy from the one suddenly in control. You can think of dozens of stories – from fairy tales to action movies – that end this way.
Why do we like this ending so much? Maybe because all of us feel bullied at one time or another – by adults, by older siblings, by people with power who use it to make us feel small.
What’s true about all these stories is that, in the long run, it’s not the bullies who have the power. Jesus hung out with poor people, sick people, and other assorted outcasts to show that God is on their side. Power that hurts people is not power that lasts. Sooner or later, love always wins.
Sarah Turner
God of hope, keep me strong in times when things are unfair. Give me courage to stand up for those who are getting hurt. Help me remember that love always wins in the end. Amen.
Now as you journey into this day
Go understanding that it is not you, after all,
Who is powerful.
Any weakness you know only opens the door
For God's power to become evident,
And weakness to become your greatest strength.