GO IN THE STRENTH YOU HAVE

One Sunday, one of my all time favorite worship leaders was on stage singing and playing guitar. He is a talented musician, but what makes him even more remarkable is that he plays guitar and sings while his body battles Parkinon’s disease. His unwavering dedication to serving God with his weaknesses as well as his strengths made me think, “What would the world look like if all believers approached their service in the same way?”  Later that week, I found myself reading about Gideon and this led me to discover a powerful truth: God's strength shines brightest when we serve Him with both our weaknesses and strengths: when we choose to hold nothing back.

In Judges 6, Gideon questioned God's choice, feeling inadequate and weak. But God saw beyond Gideon's limitations and recognized the strength he possessed. It wasn't about being the strongest or the most qualified; God wanted to showcase His power through Gideon's weaknesses. Similarly, when we serve God with our weaknesses, we become vessels for His strength to manifest. Our limitations become opportunities for God to display His greatness, captivating those around us and pointing to His glory.

When God instructed Gideon to go and deliver Israel, He didn't demand an abundance of strength or qualifications. The command was simply to go in the strength Gideon already possessed, regardless of how limited it seemed. Similarly, Jesus calls us to share the good news and make disciples, not once we feel ready or accomplished, but with the strength we have in the present moment. Our calling is not dependent on human achievements or external validation but on the power of Christ working through us.

As we embrace our weaknesses and serve God faithfully, we tap into His abundant grace. The apostle Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 12:9 that God's power is made perfect in our weakness. It is when we surrender our self-reliance and acknowledge our need for God that His strength flows through us most profoundly. By serving with our weaknesses alongside our gifts, we offer a testimony of God's transformative power, drawing others to witness His strength working in and through us.

The worship leader with Parkinson's disease exemplifies the beauty of serving God with vulnerability. Despite his shaking hands, his passion and devotion shine brightly. His service becomes even more awe-inspiring because he offers up his weaknesses to God. Through his example, we are reminded that when we embrace our vulnerabilities and serve God wholeheartedly, His power is magnified, and lives are touched in ways we may never fully comprehend.

As believers, we are called to serve God with both our weaknesses and strengths. Just like Gideon, we may feel inadequate and ill-equipped, but God's strength is made perfect in our weakness. By stepping out in faith, embracing our vulnerabilities, and offering them to God, we become vessels for His power and grace. Let us follow the example of the worship leader, shining brightly as we serve God wholeheartedly, knowing that His strength is more than sufficient for us.