Weaknesses

I have been encouraged recently by Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, "'My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong."  The quoted part is Jesus speaking.  I definitely receive my fair share of grace., because I have my fair share of weaknesses.   Taking pleasure in my weaknesses though?  That part is a bit harder to swallow.  I have been thinking about that a little more lately. 
Jesus was always around the sinners and people who, at least, admitted their weaknesses.  I mean, we all have them, and it wasn't any different in the first century, but we don't all admit them as easily as Paul did.    But it is only by admitting our weaknesses, hardships and troubles that we can begin to trust God to handle them.  I have found, that with my hard head, I must first realize that I can not handle the situation on my own before I will rest on the grace, mercy and strength that God, through Jesus, offers me.
Jesus again emphasizes what he came to do again in Mark 2:17, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”  Notice that Jesus didn't say righteous, he said those who THINK they are righteous.  So we are really all in the same boat, the unrighteous boat.  I can now begin to understand taking pleasure in this idea.  I don't think it is so much being happy that we fall short, but more of an awareness that the power and love of God can turn those weaknesses into a chance to show the glory of God.
Those that know me could tell you that I am a perfect example of someone who has weaknesses, just ask them.  :-)  I show the glory of God everyday, not by anything I do, but by my admission that I can't do it.  I allow God to do the things I am powerless to do on my own, and by that allow the Lord's power to be displayed.  Each day is a new beginning,  a new start and a day of new and fresh mercies.  We can wake up each day and know that the grace of God is there to cover our mistakes, strengthen our weaknesses and get us through any hardships.  Paul reminds us again in 1 Corinthians 1:27, "God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong".  We are a chosen people.  We should be so happy that we were indeed chosen.  And once again, it is not necessarily those who are strong, but those who think they are strong that will be shamed. All this really encourages me.  It also may teach me a thing or two and allow God's mercies to be displayed.
In every recovery program I have been around, the first steps always include admitting powerlessness and realizing that what we can not do, God can and will do for us, but only once we are willing to turn our lives over to His care.  So through weaknesses and trials God is indeed glorified.
Laura Story sums this up so well in her song,  "Blessings".  She has a way of expressing a very similiar thought to that of Paul's in a very touching way through her music.  "What if the trials of this life ..  are Your mercies in disguise."  Take a few moments and listen, you will be blessed by having done so.  Until next time, let's be proud that we are weak, I know I am.  In doing so we will be made strong.  God bless.