I have to be honest and admit that I have those days where I get downright proud of myself. I marvel at all the things I can do and all the things that I know. I get lofty dreams and aspirations about the things I will do next week, next year, and even ten years from now. Sure, I am only a small town preacher now, but stand back world and get ready to be amazed! This is just the start. After all, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!”
But then reality sinks in. I am about as miserable a man as ever was made. Most men are out there operating heavy equipment, falling trees, building houses, industries, and roads. Here am I, doing the things that manly men don’t have time for — praying, studying the scriptures, visiting the elderly, playing with kids, going to church. In a word, I am weak.
I think this is God’s design, not only for a preacher, but for anyone who will be used by God. He will take someone who is proud and downright arrogant and teach him how to be weak. Only through the fragile man will God reveal His strength to the world. As we are told in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” And again in 13:4, “For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.”