[ Home ] [ Up ] [ Waiting on Clock ]

[ Home ] [ Waiting on Clock ]

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12: 7-9

Paul was a man of visions. He was also a man with a thorn. I don't know what the thorn was, but it was so distressing to Paul, that he asked the Lord several times to move it. But God said no, allowing Paul to live with both the visions and the thorn.

How noble Paul was to accept God's sovereign will without cynicism. It seems that life would have been much easier for Paul without having to deal with this "thorn". I mean, visions are clearer and meditations are easier without thorns, aren't they? Doesn't spirituality make the struggle easier? Paul learned through visions and thorns that "His grace is sufficient, and even when we are weak, He can make us strong.

Do you have a thorn in the flesh? It depends on what your vision looks like. There are many individuals who believe their life would be better if they were good looking or had greater financial power (filthy rich). There are others who feel that if they were the boss and could calls the shots at work, things would be easier. When we reduce life down to it's lowest terms, is it about what is easier?

What if you could reach your vision tomorrow, do you know for sure that you would not become conceited? Would arrogance replace humility in your life? God desires that our life be filled with His presence. Being rich may seem like a worthy pursuit, but God may have a better plan.

I am the president of a ministry that keeps me busy. In fact, I need to be full time. But, at this point, the ministry cannot yet afford to pay me the salary I need to support my family. I do everything from maintaining the lawn to building the web site. If I were rich and handsome, I wonder if this work would seem as vital to me. God doesn't have to wonder, He knows. So He says "No", "I will not allow you to exalt yourself. Here is my vision and your thorn."

God taught Paul that his "thorn in the flesh" had a purpose. God wanted Paul to lean on Him for help. He wanted to be Paul's source of success and victory. Did Paul learn anything? "But what things were gain for me, I counted loss for Christ. Yea, doubtless, and I count all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ Philippians 3: 7-8.