Take it all

I've been thinking a lot lately about my shortcomings. And by a lot, I mean every day, and by lately, I mean all semester. I was thrown into the position of director for my campus TV station's newscast, despite having no experience. I was also made the production manager for the radio and TV station. It's been a busy semester, needless to say.

Going from being a girl with a radio show to a girl who was in charge of actual stuff was a rough transition. But if there's one thing I learned from all of that, it's that God's grace is sufficient for me. 

But this semester has been rough on other fronts as well. With media and academics, I could kind of keep my head above water. A little extra effort, some lost sleep, and I could get most things done. It's the stuff inside of me that I can't deal with. The emotions, the inner person. Those are the shortcomings that I so conveniently ignore. The shortcomings that I can never, ever escape.

But if there's one thing I learned in church this week, it's that God's strength is made perfect in my weakness.

In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul writes "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

So I'm going to do that. I'm going to boast that:

I'm tired. But God gives rest.
I'm selfish. But God softens the hard heart.
I'm easily angered. But God helps me forgive.
I'm emotionally unstable. But God gives peace of mind.
I'm lazy. But God gives me a reason to serve Him.
I'm bitter. But God restores my lost joy.
I'm weak. But God makes me strong.

Because it's not my rest. It's His.
It's not my tender heart. It's His.
On my own, I can't forgive. Through His forgiveness, I can forgive anything.
It's not a peace that I can manufacture. It's a peace that only He can bestow.
I don't serve Him out of my own desires. He changes my heart so I want to serve.
It's not a joy that I can ever know. Unless it's a joy rooted in Him.
It's not my strength. I have none. It comes from Him.


"For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
(2 Corinthians 12:10)