Ordinary Time

Pause

God, no matter what comes my way today, opportunities or challenges, you are with me.

Remind me that your grace is enough for me, especially when I’m feeling low.

Your grace sustains me.

Amen.

Listen

I was given a thorn in my body because of the outstanding revelations I’ve received so that I wouldn’t be conceited. It’s a messenger from Satan sent to torment me so that I wouldn’t be conceited.

I pleaded with the Lord three times for it to leave me alone. He said to me, “My grace is enough for you, because power is made perfect in weakness.” So I’ll gladly spend my time bragging about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power can rest on me.

2 Corinthians 12:7-9

Think

We live in a world that celebrates strength. We praise great athletic accomplishments or strong-willed speakers. We honor those with the highest achievements. Jesus’ life, and the lives of many of Jesus’ servants, show another way to be strong. Our scripture says “power is made perfect in weakness.”

Think of folks like Mother Teresa or Gandhi. Their physical bodies were seen as weak – a frail nun or a man that fasted away. Yet, these two had great inner strength. And so did Jesus.

You and I probably aren’t called to be the next Gandhi or Mother Teresa or even the next great athlete. We are called, instead, to admit that we might not be what the world calls strong. We find strength in our faith and power in the grace of God revealed in Jesus. It’s hard to admit we aren’t so strong. When we do, we begin to rely on something outside of our ourselves – the God who created all that is or ever will be. Let that be enough for us today.

Daniel Potter

Pray

God, it’s hard to admit my weakness. It can make me feel unimportant or insignificant. Your grace gives me strength when I feel weak. So today, I rely on your grace to be enough. Amen.

Go

Remember:

God’s strength is enough.

God’s peace is enough.

God’s love is enough.

God’s grace is enough.

You are enough.