"Brief Devotions For Busy Lives" By the late Rev. Dr. Mary B. Johnson: Mark 14:38

 November 12

"Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." -Jesus in Mark 14:38 (NRSV)

Have you ever felt weak and ineffective? There are times no matter how much we want to do something, we simply find ourselves unable. Whether it is weight lifting, staying awake all night, or completing a seemingly impossible task, there are many things we would like to do but simply can't finish on our own without help and infusions of energy boosts and power from outside sources. Yet when we are weak and allow God to fill us with divine power, then we are stronger than we could ever be on our own. Paul the apostle understood this well when he said, "That is why I rejoice in weakness, in ill-treatment, in troubles, in persecutions and calamities for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."(2 Cor.12:8-10) Yet God doesn't want you to be weak, passive, or ineffective. Life provides enough blocks and setbacks without us creating more by trying to do everything alone in our own strength. Yet when we feel overwhelmed or stuck in impossible situations, we can always depend on Christ. Only his power can make us effective, successful, and help us do work that has both lasting value and will accomplish our divine missions. The truth that God's power is perfected in our weaknesses can give us courage, hope, and willingness to persevere in hard times and difficult tasks.

By recognizing our limitations, we can then depend more on God for our success and less on our own energy. Our limits and imperfections not only help us develop Christian character but can also grow our faith in God by learning to depend on Jesus more. By swallowing our pride, admitting our weakness, and asking daily for help, we affirm God's strength. If we remain stuck in our own resources and pride, we sometimes try to do God's work all on our own and that leads to failure and burnout. If you face the burden of unfinished tasks, remember that in stressful times we are all vulnerable to temptation. Jesus tells us to Pray to God (Mk. 14:35) and Focus on the purpose God has given you. (Mk.14:36) This is how we become strong enough to do God's will and not our own.

Prayer: God, May your strength fill my own weakness. Amen.

​Meditation For The Day: My weakness can become God's strength.

​Brief Devotions For Busy Lives: Daily Fall Renewal (Volume 3) Paperback – August 23, 2017 by Rev. Dr. Mary B. Johnson (Author).