Over the last 24 hours as I began to stress over the fact that I needed to write a blog post today, I began to pray. Blogging is something totally new to me, yet something I am so excited to learn how to do and grow through. I have experienced first hand how powerful reading someone's encounter with the Lord can be in encouraging myself in my faith and I know that God can work mightily through what I write too. Although, that feels like such a huge responsibility to take on!

As all of these thoughts ran rampant through my head the verse that just kept coming to me was 2 Corinthians 12:9 "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness." Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may reside in me." (CSB) I did not think much of this verse that was in my mind at first except that it was a great reminder that my weaknesses allow Christ to shine through and that it is HIS grace that is sufficient not anything else. These are both so true and such great reminders, but as I sat down and began to open my heart for spending time with God, I realized just how powerful this verse can be. 

But, let's not get ahead of ourselves. I had to start with the essential question. What is the meaning of grace? 

When you ask Google it will tell you that it is "simple elegance or refinement of movement" or "courteous goodwill", but can that really be the definition of grace in this passage? I don't think so. When I think of biblical grace I think of the warm arms of Jesus holding me close when I sin and forgiving me when I ask him too. This is the grace that does not hold grudges and gives a fresh start over and over again. In addition, grace is undoubtably an attribute of God that can be found throughout the Bible. I love how Pastor John Piper puts it that grace is not only all of those things but in 2 Corinthians 12:9 it is represented as the "...powerful, practical helpfulness from God in your daily life where you most need it. That help is also called grace because it’s free and it’s undeserved."

In the two verses prior to 2 Corinthians 12:9 Paul is discussing the fact that he has a thorn in his side that was given to him. In all the commentaries they share that it is not known if this was a physical thorn or pain or more of a spiritual issue, but that in God telling Paul he would not remove the thorn he was asking Paul to allow God to provide for his needs. This thorn kept him from being self sufficient and allowed for Christ's power to be perfected in Paul's weakness. 

Wow, if you are anything like me it puts you back in my place. The Bible is so extremely clear about the fact that we are going to struggle and that we are going to feel pain, but his grace is sufficient. His grace is sufficient to give me the strength to keep going when all feels lost. His grace is sufficient to give me patience with those around me and his power will shine through my weakness. So as I feel weary and weak and incapable of using this blog for the Kingdom's glory, I am reminded that his power is made perfect in my weakness and the same is true for you.

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References:

https://www.bibleref.com/2-Corinthians/12/2-Corinthians-12-9.html

https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/what-is-grace