Written by Rev. Leigh Boelkins Van Kempen –
My husband, Case, and I spent last weekend with three of our grandchildren, a 7-year-old, a 3-year-old, and a 1-year-old. If you thought the littlest one was the easiest to manage, you would be wrong! Though small, she never stops moving. She climbs, she opens drawers and cabinets, she pulls toys off shelves, and she puts everything in her mouth! (Case said he couldn’t guarantee that my toothbrush hadn’t been there. Ewww!)
Part of the reason she remained safe, even though she is small, is that Case and I were constantly vigilant. Our role was to protect her, often from herself. Her weakness was balanced by the strength we provided. She may not have been aware of it, but she depended on us all weekend to safeguard her.
Perhaps you have been feeling weak lately. Our lives have been so different and the things we used to do automatically, often without thinking, have become difficult, complicated, maybe even impossible. Whether at home, at work, at church, at the store, things have changed.
The Apostle Paul, in Corinthians, reflected on the fact that he was weak, and yet he knew he had strength given to him by Christ, that there was power provided to undergird him in his weakness. He said, “for when I am weak, then I am strong”. Sometimes we forget that Paul was a frail and fallible human, just like we are. The strength that God offered to him is the same strength that is offered to us.
That is why I am grateful that Resthaven can rely upon our faith in God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit to sustain us. Whether as individuals or as an organization, we have been promised protection and provision, oftentimes even when we are unaware of it, kind of like my granddaughter. Though weak, we can say, “I am strong.” God’s power shows up best in weak people!