monthly focus ~ learning the joy of weakness

LEARNING THE JOY OF WEAKNESS

Life is a series of wonderful times balanced with disappointments.  Missionaries Patrick and Mindy Klansek (Romania) honestly admit that at times they find it challenging to be thankful for the setbacks as well as the blessings, yet God has graciously walked them through their first term of service and helped them to acquire a new perspective — Learning the Joy of Weakness. 

They have discovered that the first term of service is as much about discovering their own shortcomings and learning to trust God to work through them while learning a new language and culture as it is about ministry to others.  Like Paul, they can say, “Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: For when I am weak then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10)

Patrick writes, “We have struggled with strange and potent viruses; sicknesses that hang on for weeks.  We have faced criticisms for not being like those around us and for not knowing the “right way” to worship God.  We have been patronized, written off and even swindled financially. We are often stressed out by simply not knowing how to effectively communicate what we are feeling, what we desire to do, or even the basic fact that God loves those around us.  In short, we have had no trouble “feeling weak.” 

The real struggle is to “take pleasure” in these frustrations.  The place where God begins to work is when we are confronted with our own inability and cry out to Him in surrender.  At the point of our “failure,” when we renounce our own agenda, Jesus will manifest His Love through us to those without hope around us.  In this way, His all-sufficient grace and His eternal strength are clearly seen to be the perfect answer to our souls’ longing for a sure knowledge of eternity and our place in it.  Honestly, this lesson isn’t just for a new missionary family but an ongoing part of coming to grips with our Lord saying: “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.” 

Learning the “Joy of Weakness” is the first step in ministry that makes a difference.