Susanne Scheppmann
"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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV)
The accordion wheezed in and out with the melody, while the tuba burped out the rhythm—oompah pa pa oompah. The oompah band, dressed in traditional Bavarian attire—red knickers, canary yellow knee socks, small hunter green vests and green felt caps with bright red feathers wagging from the brim—played for the crowd. Each musician clutched his instrument as if it were his lover and then nodded toward the audience, encouraging them toward the dance floor.
Several members of my extended family stared at the video recording of my father-in-law's retirement party. We sat mesmerized as we relived the gaiety of those priceless moments. With oompahs playing in the background, we watched ourselves hitch arms and jig in a large circle. And, of course, human nature as it is, we all wanted to see ourselves dance to oompah music.
Suddenly, I spied myself. I thought, "Ugh!" Unfortunately, my father-in-law paused the video and said with an air of surprise, "I didn't know you had two left feet."
I have many deficiencies—two left feet is a minor one. Trust me, I have some real doozie problems in my life—like we all do. But I know for a fact that no matter how large or small my deficiencies, Christ is all sufficient in my life. I have been a Christ follower for over thirty years and not once has Jesus failed to meet my needs. I can say along with King David, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song" (Psalm 28:7, NIV).
I may have a myriad of deficiencies, but I can still sing for joy in His strength.
We all have deficiencies. God created us that way. Why? So that we would learn to depend on Him as our key verse states, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'"
So today, I am going to dance in faith with my two left feet. Will you join me in trusting Jesus, our Almighty God, with your deficiencies?
Dear Lord, I recognize my need for Your strength in my life. My day-to-day existence is fraught with deficiencies. Thank You for being more than enough in my life. Thank You for being my Almighty God. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Embraced by the Father: Finding Grace in the Names of God by Susanne Scheppmann This book will introduce you to God, through His names and the metaphor of dance.
Visit Susanne’s blog
A Perfect Mess: Why You Don't Have to Worry About Being Good Enough for God by Lisa Harper
Application Steps:
Consider in what areas you need the strength of Christ today. Take a short time to pray and ask Him to give you endurance and the hope to see you through each difficulty or deficiency you face today. Remember He is our Almighty God.
Reflections:
What type of "deficiency" do you feel you have? Do you believe you can overcome it by yourself? How can God's strength enable you to endure difficulties?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 1:20-21, "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ. And so through him the 'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ." (NIV)
Psalms 37:39, "But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble." (KJV)
Psalms 147:11, "Those who fear God get God's attention; they can depend on his strength." (MSG)
© 2010 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
"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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV)
The accordion wheezed in and out with the melody, while the tuba burped out the rhythm—oompah pa pa oompah. The oompah band, dressed in traditional Bavarian attire—red knickers, canary yellow knee socks, small hunter green vests and green felt caps with bright red feathers wagging from the brim—played for the crowd. Each musician clutched his instrument as if it were his lover and then nodded toward the audience, encouraging them toward the dance floor.
Several members of my extended family stared at the video recording of my father-in-law's retirement party. We sat mesmerized as we relived the gaiety of those priceless moments. With oompahs playing in the background, we watched ourselves hitch arms and jig in a large circle. And, of course, human nature as it is, we all wanted to see ourselves dance to oompah music.
Suddenly, I spied myself. I thought, "Ugh!" Unfortunately, my father-in-law paused the video and said with an air of surprise, "I didn't know you had two left feet."
I have many deficiencies—two left feet is a minor one. Trust me, I have some real doozie problems in my life—like we all do. But I know for a fact that no matter how large or small my deficiencies, Christ is all sufficient in my life. I have been a Christ follower for over thirty years and not once has Jesus failed to meet my needs. I can say along with King David, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song" (Psalm 28:7, NIV).
I may have a myriad of deficiencies, but I can still sing for joy in His strength.
We all have deficiencies. God created us that way. Why? So that we would learn to depend on Him as our key verse states, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'"
So today, I am going to dance in faith with my two left feet. Will you join me in trusting Jesus, our Almighty God, with your deficiencies?
Dear Lord, I recognize my need for Your strength in my life. My day-to-day existence is fraught with deficiencies. Thank You for being more than enough in my life. Thank You for being my Almighty God. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Embraced by the Father: Finding Grace in the Names of God by Susanne Scheppmann This book will introduce you to God, through His names and the metaphor of dance.
Visit Susanne’s blog
A Perfect Mess: Why You Don't Have to Worry About Being Good Enough for God by Lisa Harper
Application Steps:
Consider in what areas you need the strength of Christ today. Take a short time to pray and ask Him to give you endurance and the hope to see you through each difficulty or deficiency you face today. Remember He is our Almighty God.
Reflections:
What type of "deficiency" do you feel you have? Do you believe you can overcome it by yourself? How can God's strength enable you to endure difficulties?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 1:20-21, "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ. And so through him the 'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ." (NIV)
Psalms 37:39, "But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble." (KJV)
Psalms 147:11, "Those who fear God get God's attention; they can depend on his strength." (MSG)
© 2010 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
Labels: Balance, Identity in Christ, Perseverance, Spiritual Growth, Trusting God, Waiting On God, Walking in Faith
4 Comments:
"The accordian wheezed and the tuba burped. . ." I love your colorful way of writing. It gave me a good chuckle. I am so thankful for the truth of this devotional that when we are weak then He is strong. We can, like Paul, rejoice in our weaknesses because then God gets the glory. I am so grateful for His help and strength which is always there for me. I have to ask Him all the time to please help me get this done or that or for guidance and wisdom. He is always there and He always gives me the help and strength that I need. Thank you, Lord. Thank you for sharing.
As a person who suffers from fibromyalgia that is often brings debilitating pain and alters my lifestyle dictating when I can work, etc. I often get resentful of this "weakness." Thank you for the devotion today. It has helped me view this illness in a different light! I love P31 for these quick pick-me-ups each day.
My weakness is anxiety, I know that now and I am not ashamed anymore. I used to worry what people thought of me when I got an anxiety attack. But hen I feel one coming on or I am being attacked by Satan with my thoughts of what might happen, I start quoting God has not given me the spirit of fear, but He gives me power and a SOUND mind. Thank you for the devotion, I know that I am becoming stronger in my weakness with Jesus. Denise
Again, another great devotional! It was just last night I was running with the list of weaknesses in my life. Very up-set with myself for always needing help and depending on my husband and people... As I shared with you ladies before of my hearing loss. Who would have thought this would cause me so much difficulties But!, I am made perfect in weakness, therefore I will Boast all the more...Hallelujah!!...so that Christ's power may rest on me in weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficuties Yes! He said to me too, My grace is sufficient for you...for when I'm weak, then I am strong... The Lord is my strenght! and I will trust in Him... Hallelujah! Thank you for that encouraging reminder. Blessing until... :+)
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