Worth Your Weight in Weakness
Worth Your Weight
in Weakness
I remember the time my sister Jay and I took old Route 40 from the farm down to an auction at the Baltimore Livestock Exchange.
We’d heard a nearby thoroughbred farm was relinquishing stock, and thought we might be able to pick up a good horse—cheap.
Arriving early, we walked around the pens to examine the animals up for bid. I had my eye on a huge red thoroughbred nobody else seemed to be looking at—but we didn’t want to appear too anxious in front of the seller.
Trying my best to look cool and professional, I ran my hand down the horse’s shins, feeling for any bumps to indicate shin splints. I knelt and ran my fingers over his hooves, looking for any cracks or splits. We rubbed his ribs, felt his withers, looked at his teeth, lifted his tail … and finally stepped back to assess his general condition.
By the time we were through with that thoroughbred, we knew all his weak spots. And we knew exactly what he was worth. We were more than ready to point out those weaknesses to the owner if he didn’t want to accept our low bid.
Weak spots. It’s scary to think of having your weak spots exposed, isn’t it? Weaknesses have a way of either raising or lowering our value in the eyes of others.
I’m reminded of a quote by Corrie ten Boom.
The devil is like a good cattle dealer who walks once around a cow and then knows all its weak spots. He knows us and knows exactly where he can hit us. The devil has not yet retired. He knows that his time is short and he’s extremely active. But Jesus is present, much stronger than the devil.
Fair warning. You may think you’ve got your weaknesses covered, but your Enemy would like to get the lowest possible bid on your life. To do so, he’ll make certain he’s looked you over, up and down, left and right, this way and that.
Satan is very interested in your weak spots. Whether it’s a tendency to fear, a propensity to doubt, a pull toward fantasizing, or a leaning toward pride, he’s got your number.
If you sense an area of intense struggle in your life right now, you’d best realize the devil will continue to pressure you where it hurts. He knows your down-side, and isn’t a bit reluctant to make full use of that knowledge.
But like Corrie said, Jesus is ever-so present, and much stronger than the devil. He also knows your weak spots, but He wants those vulnerable areas to become His power points in your life. Realizing this, Paul was able to write: “When I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10).
In spite of all your failings and struggles, the Lord Jesus did not purchase your life at low bid. No higher price could have been paid.
From His point of view, you’re worth your weight in weaknesses.