Strength

Recently, I was praying about a personal weakness and its possible effects on my children. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 came to mind: Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. I love that Paul says three times he pleaded or implored, because God and I have repeatedly dialoged over this thing.

I remembered a picture a friend shared during a small group a few years back. In the movie the Lion King, as the lion cub faces his enemy he musters up his most ferocious roar.  It comes out pathetically weak.  Just as his enemy begins to gloat, to both of their surprises it becomes so fierce his enemy tucks his tail and runs. The cub turns to see his father standing behind him.

The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to slander me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. 

Psalm 27:1-3

  
I, the LORD, am your God, Who brought you up from the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide and I will fill it. Ps 81:10

As I drew this picture I was struck by the fact that the lion is no longer a small cub, but is starting to mature.
so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Ephesians 4:14-16 (ESV)  

 

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:48