STRIVING TO BE WEAK

Weaknesses get a bad rap. Really, we don't give them enough credit.

Strengths are always in the spotlight--when we were kids and even now as adults.

We live by our strengths; they preserve us.

But let's talk about needs.

I remember entering 2009 feeling an earnest need for more of God's guidance. Six months later, I'm clear that my strengths won't play much of a role in helping me get it.

I first learned that I never have to contemplate God's guidance. He's committed to it. "For He is our God forever and ever; He will be our guide, even to death" (Psalm 49:14).

His part is done, now I must do mine.

More of His guidance requires less of me. And "less of me" is everything opposite my strengths.

I associate "strengths" with power and stability; being firm and sure; comfortable; superior; being one or two steps ahead.

When I think "weaknesses" my mind goes to needing assistance; being sub-par, broken, mediocre and pliable.

How much can God truly guide me when I operate in my strengths?

Do I even hear His direction when I'm rock solid, proud, filled with self-confidence and feeling on top?

Flexing my strengths is way overrated and lacks the connection and potency I'm looking for.

On the other hand, my weaknesses make me good and uncomfortable to the point that I know I can't do this--whatever it is--without Him.

It's the place where I'm humble and God has my attention; where I am His clay, willing and ready to be shaped, molded and made stronger for Him.

I no longer say my weaknesses are negative.

In fact, there's nothing more positive than being a helpless dependent on Christ.

In my strengths, I know God.

But in my weaknesses, I need Him.

And that's when He guides me most.

by Lisa Birch

POWER OF THE TONGUE

"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." - Proverbs 18:21

Words have the power to motivate or destroy, energize or deflate, inspire or create despair.

Many successful executives can remember the time their father failed to give affirmation to them as a child. The result was either over-achievement to prove their worth, or underachievement to prove he was right.

Many a wife has lost her ability to love because of a critical husband. Many a husband has left a marriage because of words of disrespect and ungratefulness.

Stories abound regarding the power of words. There are just as many stories of those who have been encouraged, challenged, and comforted with words that made a difference in their lives.

Jesus knew the power of words.

He used parables to convey His principles of the Kingdom of God. He used words of forgiveness and mercy. He used words to challenge. He used words to inspire His disciples to miraculous faith.

Do your words give life? Do they inspire and challenge others to greatness? Who does God want you to encourage through your words today?

Affirm someone close to you today.

by Os Hillman

THE BRAVE LITTLE SOUL

Not too long ago in Heaven, there was a little soul who took wonder in observing the world. He especially enjoyed the love he saw there and often expressed this joy with God.

One day, however, the little soul was sad, for on this day, he saw suffering in the world.

He approached God and sadly asked, "Why do bad things happen? Why is there suffering in the world?"

God paused for a moment and replied, "Little soul, do not be sad, for the suffering you see, unlocks the love in people's hearts."

The little soul was confused. "What do you mean,"
he asked.

God replied, "Have you not noticed the goodness and love that is the offspring of that suffering? Look at how people come together, drop their differences and show their love and compassion for those who suffer. All their other motivations disappear and they become motivated by love alone."

The little soul began to understand and listened attentively as God continued, "The suffering soul unlocks the love in people's hearts much like the sun and the rain unlock the flower within the seed. I created everyone with endless love in their heart, but unfortunately, most people keep it
locked up and hardly share it with anyone. They are afraid to let their love shine freely, because they are afraid of being hurt. But a suffering soul unlocks that love. I tell you this--it is the greatest miracle of all. Many souls have bravely chosen to go into the world and suffer--to unlock this love, to create this miracle--for the good of all humanity."

Just then the little soul got a wonderful idea and could hardly contain himself. Bouncing up and down, the little soul excitedly replied, "I am brave; let me go! I would like to go into the world and suffer so that I can unlock the goodness and love in people's hearts! I want to create that
miracle!"

God smiled and said, "You are a brave soul I know, and thus I will grant your request. But even though you are very brave, you will not be able to do this alone. I have known since the beginning of time that you would ask for
this and so I have carefully selected many souls to care for you on your journey. Those souls will help you create your miracle; however they will also share in your suffering. Two of these souls are most special and will care for you, help you and suffer along with you, far beyond the others. They have already chosen a name for you."

God and the brave little soul shared a smile, and then embraced.

In parting, God said, "Do not forget, little soul, that I will be with you always. Although you have agreed to bear the pain, you will do so through my strength. And if the time should come when you feel that you have suffered enough, just say the word, think the thought, and you will be healed."

Thus, at that moment, the brave little soul was born into the world, and through his suffering and God's strength, he unlocked the goodness and love in people's hearts.

For so many people dropped their differences and came together to show their love. Priorities became properly aligned. People gave from their hearts.

Those that were always too busy found time. Many began new spiritual journeys--some regained lost faith, many came back to God.

Parents hugged their children tighter. Friends and family grew closer. Old friends got together and new friendships were made. Distant family reunited, and every family spent more time together.

Everyone prayed. Peace and love reigned. Lives changed forever. It was good. The world was a better place.

The miracle had happened. God was pleased.

--by John Alessi

HIDDEN TREASURES

A man was exploring caves by the seashore.

In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake.

They didn't look like much, but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave with him. As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could.

He thought little about it, until he dropped one of the clay balls and it cracked open on a rock.

Inside was a beautiful precious stone.

Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained a similar treasure.

He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left.

Then it struck him. He had been on the beach a long time. He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of the clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves.

Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands, but he had just thrown it away!

It's like that with people.

We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel.

It doesn't look like much from the outside.

It isn't always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it.

We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or stylish or well known or wealthy.

But we have not taken the time to find the treasure hidden inside that person.

There is a treasure in each and every one of us. If we take the time to get to know that person, and if we ask God to show us that person the way He sees them, then the clay begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth.

May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay.

May we see the people in our world as God sees them.

--Author Unknown