Broken But Useful

Scripture Reading

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

       And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me--to keep me from exalting myself!

     Concerning this I entreated the LORD three times that it might depart from me.

     And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weakness, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

     Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

What's the Big Idea??

"But the Lord said to me, 'My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, then my power is made perfect in you.' So I am happy to boast about my weaknesses. Then Christ's power can live in me. 2 Cor. 12:9

Think of it this way:

Do you have something at home that is broken or cracked or bent, but which you can still use? Well I have a pan that the handle broke on it. But part of it is still good and I can still use it. I have to be very careful when I pick it up, though. Someday I may try to fix it, and then, of course, it will be much more useful.

  Sometimes we think that God can't use us because we are not perfect. We may be afraid to tell others about Jesus because we know we don't always act the way we should. But just as we can use things that are not always perfect, so God can use us when we have faults. In fact, if we waited until we were perfect before we were willing to serve God, none of us would ever serve Him because we will never be perfect in this life.

  Of course, the fewer faults we have, the better God is able to use us. That is the reason it is important for us to come to church and to go to Prep School. That is the way we learn more about God and how we can become better Christians. But don't forget, God can use you right now if you are willing to follow Him. So don't wait until tomorrow. Start living for God right now.