2 Corinthians 12.7
“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a horn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.“
It is grace that motivates and empowers us to keep going when we get to The Edge, which is that place where we reach the limits of our spiritual strength and ability. The defining characteristic of The Edge is productive discomfort. It is uncomfortable and difficult, and it challenges us.
God urges us to respond to the challenge, break through The Edge, and move to the next level, and that requires embracing the productive discomfort. What enables us to push through the discomfort? What empowers us to break through The Edge? God’s grace … but only if we humble ourselves and submit to the Lord. We cannot do it on our own.
The apostle Paul came to an Edge in his life and ministry. Paul was given “a thorn in flesh” so that he would stay humble, but he grew tired of the burden and hassle and irritation. So he prayed and asked the Lord to remove it. Three times he prayed.
Here is how the Lord answered Paul’s prayer: “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12.9)
There it is. Paul was at The Edge, and he was being trained by grace. As a result of that message of grace, Paul drew this conclusion about how to live his life and do his job:
“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.“ (2 Corinthians 12.9-10)
May that also be true for you and for me.
