My Grace is Sufficient (Lenten Series Part 6

March 22 Week 5: Embracing the Ugly (Thorn) – 2 Corinthians 12:1-7, Acts 15:36-41.. Paul is given an incredible vision and a thorn in the flesh to keep him from becoming conceited. He understands that this painful reminder is there for a reason so that he will boast not in his strength, but in his weakness. Paul does not tell us what this thorn or messenger from Satan is, but what if the accuser is attacking Paul with the damage and hurt the dark and shadow side of his zeal has caused.

March 23 – Day 29 (Monday) 

Reading: I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. ² I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. ³ And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— ⁴ and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. ⁵ On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses—
–2 Corinthians 12:1-5

Reflection: Boasting and pride is so common in our everyday world that it is hard for us to fathom someone that is uninterested in showing on or performing for others. Because of social media and modern technology, we struggle with being humble and not trying to always spin things to make ourselves look better than we are. Remember, humility literally means to be “grounded,” not too high or low on ourselves (self-deprecating false humility is just as unhealthy as pride). How can you follow Paul’s example of trying to boast of our weakness an need for Jesus more than your strengths and accomplishments?

Prayer: Jesus, help me to follow in your example and the example of Paul in the way of humility. Help me to not think too highly or lowly of myself. Help me to root my identity in who you say I am, a “child of God,” thereby freeing me from a need to be impressive to others. May I allow the exhibition of my weakness to be used by your Spirit as an invitation to others to be freed from needing to be impressive as well, amen.

March 24 – Day 30 (Tuesday) 

Reading:  ⁶ though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. ⁷ So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.
–2 Corinthians 12:6-7

Reflection: We never learn the specific nature of Paul’s thorn in the flesh, but it has been our contention that a likely candidate could be Paul’s passion and zeal. For, it is the one thing that remains a part of Saul/Paul’s personality consistently throughout his life, both as a Pharisee and as a missionary for Jesus. We see this passion cause a division between Paul and Barnabas in Acts and we see how fiery he could be throughout his letters to Corinth and Galatians. Paul’s passion was BOTH his greatest STRENGTH to be used by the Spirit AND his greatest WEAKNESS to be used by the enemy. Have you considered what might be your “thorn in the flesh,” what might be your “cactus” to embrace and wrestle with? How might God be challenging parts of your personality and parts of who you are?

Prayer: Spirit, reveal to me what my “thorn in the flesh” might be and how I might learn to not only understand it, but embrace and welcome correction of it. Though parts of my “prickly personality” may never be fully redeemed in this lifetime, help me to become more and more patterned after the image of your Son, Jesus, amen.

March 25 – Day 31 (Wednesday)

Reading: ³⁶ And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” ³⁷ Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. ³⁸ But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.  
-Acts15:36-38

Reflection: Again, Paul never revealed to us his “thorn in the flesh.” Yet, we don’t have to experience the same “thorn” or “cactus” to relate to the struggle and tension that our greatest strength can also be our biggest liability. Here we see Paul’s zeal to encourage others with the word of the Lord, also led him to give up on young Mark instead of giving him another chance. Many have speculated that Paul’s zeal and passion likely made him a difficult person to work with, especially when one did not match his level of commitment. As self proclaimed “chief of sinners” Paul was aware of this ugly tendency in himself and knew it was there to keep him from being conceited. Like Paul we all have a negative or dark side to our greatest gift and attribute. When left to ourselves this blessing from God quickly becomes a curse. 

Prayer: Lord, just like you gave Paul a thorn or a cactus, I also have painful reminders that I too often use the greatest gift you gave me as a curse to others instead of a blessing. You know me at my worst and still call me your child in Christ. Forgive me for the times that I misuse this gift. Also, help me to accept, even embrace that this ugliness, my thorn/cactus is there for a reason, to keep me from becoming conceited. Teach me to use this gift to serve you and be a blessing to others, amen. 

March 26 – Day 32 (Thursday) 

³⁹ And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, ⁴⁰ but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. ⁴¹ And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
–Acts 15:39-41

¹¹ Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.
–2 Timothy 4:11

Reflection: Paul called his thorn a messenger of Satan, which means accuser. Paul’s zeal when misused, no doubt gave the accuser plenty of ammunition to torment Paul. Here we see Paul’s giving up on young Mark led to a bitter disagreement and falling out with his closest friend and ally, Barnabus, which ironically means “son of encouragement.” We aren’t 100% sure about Barnabus, but we know that later Paul reconciled with Mark and even later called him “useful in ministry.” Despite the messiness of this incident, God redeemed it; using it to multiply mission work, restore Mark, and soften the rougher part of Paul’s overzealous edges that he slowly learned to embrace. We also have plenty of ammunition for the “accuser” to use against us, those times when our thorn/cactus gets the best of us, but thankfully those can be redeemed as well.

Prayer: Jesus, I know that the enemy has a list of accusations to throw against me. He wants nothing more than for me to be defined by my failures. Yet, you offer something different! Like Paul with Barnabus and Mark, you seek to redeem my failures and reconcile the relationships my behaviors have damaged. Help me to hug my cactus and embrace my ugliness, surrendering it to you and your work on the cross to do with as you will. Amen!

March 27 – Day 33 (Friday)

Reading: ¹⁰ I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. ¹¹ Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. ¹² I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. ¹³ I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
–Philippians 4:10-13

Reflection: “Keep your cool.” “Don’t get rattled.” These and so many others are coach cliches about remaining calm under pressure. Paul says that he had learned the secret of being content, no matter the circumstances, good or bad. How often do we allow our situation to dictate our mood and outlook? How often do we ride the emotional roller coaster of the ups and downs of daily life? How might focusing on God and His provision grant us peace within life’s storms?

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for being my calm in the storms of life. Teach me contentment and joy, regardless of my outward situation. Remind me that I am secure in your hands, amen. 

March 28 – Day 34 (Saturday)

Reading: ⁴ though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵ circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. ⁷ But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ. 
–Philippians 3:4-8

Reflection: Paul is showing his own personal growth here, that his thorn or cactus is doing it’s of keeping him from being conceited. In giving his credentials Paul again reflects on who he was as a rising star among the Pharisees before he encountered Jesus. All of that seemed so important to him and impressive to others before. Now, as he looks back he calls it all the things he had based his confidence on before a loss, rubbish even. His zeal, his greatest gift was merely a means by which to harm and persecute others, including Christ himself. All those old credentials had been replaced by the gift of knowing and gaining Christ. From that place Christ was able to reclaim Paul’s zeal and use it for his Kingdom purposes, just as he continues to do for all whose confidence is in him. 

Prayer: Father, too often I put my confidence in my own abilities and accomplishments and when I do I make a proper mess of things. But like Paul, when I count those things as a loss instead clinging to knowing and gaining your son, all those reasons for confidence are reduced to a pile of rubbish. Help me to receive the invitation from your Son to die to self, embrace the limitations of my own flesh, and follow him. Reclaim and us my gift for the sake of your Kingdom, amen.

March 29 Week 6: Humility & New Meaning  – 2 Corinthians 12:8-11, Philippians 2:1-5. Paul accepts that despite his pleading with the Lord three times his thorn will not be taken away. Instead he will have to learn to live with it as part of who he is in the saint/sinner paradox. In this he will continue to rely on Christ’s power and sufficient grace to become a person of humility and new meaning looking past self to the interest of others. 

March 30 – Day 35 (Monday) 

Reading: ⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. ⁹ 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.

–2 Corinthians 12:8-9

Reflection: There is a lot of boasting going on these days. We are blasted on television, radio, social media, billboards and everything else on who or what is the biggest and the best. Paul’s thorn/cactus was tormenting him as he was being accused and beaten down by the Accuser himself. Instead of being told he was the biggest and the best he was likely being barraged with a constant reminder of his failures and shortcomings. Imagine the once proud zealot being brought to his knees in full humility with the weight of all the times his zeal had harmed others. In this he pleads to the Lord three times, “please take this from me, it is more than I can bear!” The simple answer he receives, “My grace is sufficient.” Paul actually needs this painful reminder, so it’s not going anywhere. Like Paul our thorn/cactus is there so that we may boast not in our strength, but in our weakness, so that we may experience the fullness of Christ’s power. 

Prayer: Jesus, deep down I want to be able to boast about my accomplishments and abilities. Yet, the Accuser and the accusers are there to point out my flaws, to taunt me and remind me of all my failures. All the times I abused the strengths you gave me and made a proper mess of everything. You did not take the thorn from Paul, nor are you going to take it from me. Instead you are using it to keep me humble and to remind me that real power is found in your sufficient grace. In this I boast, thank you, amen   

March 31 – Day 36 (Tuesday) 

Reading: ¹⁰ 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. ¹¹ I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing. ¹² The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. 
–2 Corinthians 12:10-12

Reflection: Becoming a person of humility takes time. Any addict that has recovered will tell you it’s really a never ending process. The language, “I am recovering _______ for so many years” is generally used emphasizing the present and active reality instead of something from the past. Contentment and humility are closely related, here Paul demonstrates humility by learning to be content even in difficult circumstances, finding the strength of Christ, for the sake of Christ instead of himself. Even in defending himself as an apostle he refers to himself as nothing and describes how he worked with them patiently. This is far cry from the impulsive and bombastic zealot we see in the young Saul. Paul’s thorn/cactus was doing its work in keeping him from boasting and being conceited. The hug your cactus journey is not easy or a quick fix, but it is worth it.     

Prayer: Father I join other sinners and addicts in acknowledging that I am a work in progress. I struggle to be content with my weaknesses, to accept that when I am by myself my weakest, in you I am actually made strong.  Help me to create the time and space needed to allow your Spirit to refine me and teach me humility. Also help me to be patient and content, to see that this is a process that takes time and does not happen overnight. I pray that others will see the growth and progress in my life and glorify your Son, amen. 

April 1 – Day 37 (Wednesday) 

Reading: ¹ So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, ² complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. ³ Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. ⁴ Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. ⁵ Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.
–Philipians 2:1-5 

Reflection: Humility. Considering others’ needs before our own. That’s something that is completely counter-cultural in our current age of individualism and consumerism. “Have it your way” is not just a commercial slogan, but has instead become a cultural expectation. So, we need a new “mind” or mindset given and modeled to us by Jesus. We cannot make ourselves think or become like Jesus without His empowerment and help. So, may we learn from Jesus and lean on His strength become more humble and more willing to serve the needs of others before we serve ourselves. 

Prayer: Jesus, help me to follow in your way of humility, counting others’ needs above my own. Remind me that you are the one who empowers me to serve others. Empower me to think differently from the way the world teaches me to think, amen.

April 2 – Day 38 (Maundy Thursday) 

¹⁷ Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. ¹⁸ And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, ¹⁹ serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; ²⁰ how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house. 
–Acts 20:17-20

Reflection: It is interesting to study this passage on Maundy Thursday (the day Jesus gave the “command” (Latin translation of “Maundy”) for His disciples to “love on another” like He loved them by washing their feet. I am struck at the idea of pairing humility with “tears” and “trials” in the above passage. There is often a cost to humility. When we don’t assert our own rights or always put ourselves first, there will be times of pain and trials. Sometimes our humility will also lead us to listen to the pain of others and lead us to empathetic tears. How is God calling you to humbly listen to the struggles of others? How is God calling you to sacrificially care for others even when it is hard? 

Prayer: Jesus, you called Paul to serve the people of Ephesus with humility in the midst of many tears and trials. Where are you leading me to serve the people around me? What might “washing someone’s feet” look like in my life? Jesus, grant me the strength and insight to serve others around me, amen.

April 3 – Day 39 (Good Friday) 

³⁴ You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. ³⁵ In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” ³⁶ And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. ³⁷ And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, ³⁸ being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.  
– Acts 20:34-38 

Reflection: Bittersweet! If there is one word to summarize this passage it’s bittersweet! This is Paul saying goodbye to some of his dearest friends, the leaders of the church in Ephesus. Paul is on his way to Jerusalem in the hope of eventually making it to Rome. Here we see a kinder and more gentle Paul, the sharper edges of his zeal have over time been softened some. He has personally learned that giving is much greater than receiving. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. We reflect on these words on Good Friday, another bittersweet day. Bitter because of the pain and suffering that Jesus endured for our sake, but sweet because of the sacrifice He made for our sake. Jesus not only said it’s better to give than receive, he modeled it giving his life as a ransom for many.

Prayer: Jesus, on this “Good” Friday I cannot begin to fathom how you took the sins of the world to a cross. You showed me how to give instead of receive, how to live for the sake of others instead of myself. Help me to pay forward all the gifts you have given me. Continue to soften the rough edges of my thorn/cactus. Show me this day opportunities to give, to do things for the sake of others, amen!

April 4 – Day 40 (Holy Saturday) 

⁶ Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” ⁷ And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. ⁸ For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 
–Acts 23:6-8

Reflection: Paul’s life comes full circle in this moment. He owns being a Pharisee, but also focuses on how much God has changed him, allowing Him to see that life really must point towards a singular hope: the resurrection. Without the resurrection Paul notes in 1 Corinthians that we are to be “pitied above all” people as Christians. As we await Easter Sunday and hearing again about the beauty of the resurrection of Jesus and our resurrection to come, let us allow ourselves some time and silence during Holy Saturday. Good Friday was so hard for the original disciples, but we as believers know that Sunday was always coming. You may be going through your own painful cactus-hugging part of your journey, but please know that Sunday and victory is coming, that our hope is never in vain.

Prayer: Jesus, I submit my cactus-hugging journey to you. Whether I accept it or like it or not, it will always happen according to your will and your timing, so please transform my mind and heart to accept this more willingly, more graciously, more humbly. God, there are dark and Good Friday places you lead me to “die to self/ego,” but remind me with Your Comforter, the Holy Spirit, that “Sunday is coming,” that there is hope for the future, amen.