Pathways Press.com

MEDITATION:

Written by Chuck Swindoll, a contemporary Christian pastor, broadcaster, and author.

J. Oswald Sanders, in his book, Paul, the Leader, writes, “We form part of a generation that worships power—military, intellectual, economical, scientific. The concept of power is worked into the warp and woof of our daily living. Our entire world is divided into power blocs. Men everywhere are striving for power in various realms, often with questionable motivation.”

The celebrated Scottish preacher, James Stewart, made a statement that is also challenging: “It is always upon human weakness and humiliation, not human strength and confidence, that God chooses to build His Kingdom; and that He can use us not merely in spite of our ordinariness and helplessness and disqualifying infirmities, but precisely because of them.”

That’s a thrilling discovery to make. It transforms our mental attitude toward our circumstances. Let’s pause long enough here to consider this principle in all seriousness. Your humiliations, your struggles, your battles, your weaknesses, your feelings of inadequacy, your helplessness, even your so-called “disqualifying” infirmities are precisely what make you effective. I would go further and say they represent the stuff of greatness. Once you are convinced of your own weakness and no longer trying to hide it, you embrace the power of Christ. Paul modeled that trait wonderfully, once he grasped the principle. His pride departed and in its place emerged a genuine humility that no amount of hardship could erase.

PRAYER:

This prayer is from the 5^th century liturgy of the Syro-Malabar church, which traces its origin to Thomas the Apostle.

 O God, you are the bottomless well of peace,

the heavenly sea of love,

the fountain of blessings,

and the giver  of affection,

and you send peace to those who receive it.

Open to us this day the sea of your love,

and water us with the flowing streams of your grace.

Make us children of quietness, and heirs of peace.

Enkindle the fire of your love in us;

plant holy reverence for you in us;

strengthen our weakness by your power;

bind us closely to you and to each other

in one firm bond of unity;

for the sake of Jesus Christ.  Amen.