Pestilence Confronted: “…I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses…”

Pestilence Confronted: “…I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses…” 

The Covid virus is one of those things in life that makes us feel weak and powerless to act, to change the status quo. We adjust our lives to fit the new requirements and routines but it never seems to feel normal. It is almost as if the virus is in charge of our lives. We resent it and want to take back control. We want to do more, do better but we are told to stay in and stay put. We don’t like this sense of weakness. These are not the kind of circumstances that lead us to rejoice or boast about our lives. 

Or are they? 

In his letter to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians:11-12), St. Paul recounts the many hardships he suffered in the course of his ministry as an Apostle of Jesus Christ. In a strange kind of retelling he boasts not of victories in the flesh but of hardships and demonstrations of his extreme limitations and “weakness.” Why should he boast of his weaknesses? Isn’t weakness a liability, something to be avoided?  

Paul goes on to tell us that he was even “harassed” by a messenger of Satan as a “thorn in the flesh.” Instead of lamenting his situation or worse giving up on God who allowed such things, he comes to understand that such things were “to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations” (given to him while in the Spirit).  God answers his prayers by telling him “that my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Isn’t it just like God to make our weaknesses the gateway to his power? 

May grace and peace be multiplied to you.  

Blessings,
Jim Firnstahl

Global Prayer Points

As we seek to see our marketplace transformed by the Gospel, join us in prayer this week for the following requests from our Global Leadership. 

Africa: Pray for God’s intervention as we fight this virus globally. Pray for God’s protection and preservation of the health of all CBMC members across the world. Pray for the growth of CBMC in Africa, even during these challenging days.

Asia/Pacific: Pray that the virus will not continue especially in India, Bangladesh and Indonesia. Pray for Malaysia to have a righteous government, political stability, economic recovery and racial harmony. Hong Kong: please pray for peace and for our CBMC brothers and sisters who are working through challenges.

Europe: Pray that our work will bear fruit and bring many business leaders to Christ. Specific prayer requests can be sent to [email protected]

Latin America: Pray for protection and healing of CBMC families and team members who are in Brazil and Mexico, ‘hot spots’ of the pandemic.

North America: Pray for establishing an e-CBMC (next generation) in North America Korean CBMC. Pray that Christian leaders would take the challenge to lead other leaders who need Jesus.

If you have a prayer request, please send an email to CBMC International.