A youth ministry initiative by RBC Ministries
where you can find devotionals and resources for youth.
A youth ministry initiative by RBC Ministries
where you can find devotionals and resources for youth.
February 27, 2010
God’s greatest power can be displayed in our biggest weakness.
READ: Matthew 20:20-28
Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. —Matthew 20:26
No one wants to be weak, so we find ways to appear strong. Some of us use the force of our emotions to manipulate people. Others use the force of personality to control people, and some use intellect to intimidate. Although these create an illusion of strength, they are signs of weakness.
When we are truly strong, we have the courage to admit our limitations and to acknowledge our dependence on God. As a result, true strength often looks a lot like weakness. When the apostle Paul prayed that an affliction would be taken from him, God answered, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). Paul responded with these troubling words: “When I am weak, then I am strong” (v.10).
Toward the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry, some of His disciples were striving for positions of prominence. Jesus used their argument as an opportunity to teach them that in His kingdom things are different: greatness comes when we willingly assume positions of weakness (Matt. 20:26).
This is a hard truth. I prefer the illusion of strength to the reality of weakness. But God wants us to realize that true strength comes when we stop trying to control people and start serving them instead. — Julie Ackerman Link
Source: Our Daily Bread
Filed under Devotional, Our Daily Bread and tagged with Servanthood.
I feel this is so true, especially for youths. When everyone is trying to be unique and stand out from the crowd. Everyone starts to create an identity that is desirable and popular and labeling it as themselves, like saying “i am being me”, but what is actually inside is hidden. This “strength” and influence is nothing in the end, just the facade, it will fade away, and is not real strength. In the end, those who are real and true to themselves live life the most fulfilling. Serve! even in anonymity. God knows
and that is more than enough. Whatever to the spotlight, it is just an illusion.