Weakness

DawnThis past week, I heard Marva Dawn speak twice at a seminar in Austin.  She is a theologian, author, and teaches Spiritual Theology at Regent College where I have gone a couple of times to study.  I have read several of her books.   Monday morning, she stood to speak at the seminar.  She began by orienting the group to some of her physical challenges.  Blind in one eye.  Deaf in one ear.  Diabetic.  Due for a kidney transplant in July.  She was a very slender, middle aged woman.  She wore solid black shoes.  Shoes that went over her ankles.  One had a brace that went up to her knee.  That particular shoe had an additional two inches of sole.  She said that someone once asked her how she could travel and speak at conferences etc. with all of her physical problems.  She replied that she had too much to do to sit around and feel sorry for herself.

I’ve read several of her books.  She is a very good writer.  However, her words to the group on Monday and Tuesday mornings seemed especially powerful.  The weakness and frailty of her body served to add power to her words.  I left the seminar blessed each day. 

Far too many of us seem to think that we will only do our greatest work when we are strong. 

  • If only I had a better education
  • If only I could speak better
  • If only I could write
  • If only I had more money
  • If only I had a better church to work with

On and on it goes.  Maybe, just maybe, all of that would only serve to magnify myself. 

Maybe it is my weakness or my inadequacy that only serves to magnify God and his power (2 Cor. 12:9-10).