Glimpses of God in Everyday Life

Found: His Strength in My Weakness

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 weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NASB)

It was the last stretch of the 26.2 mile journey, and I was finished.  My legs felt like jello, my body was depleted of all nutrients, and it was hard to stay focused.  I tried to keep my eyes on the prize of the finish line, but physically I did not think I could make it.

Then, another runner came up beside me and handed me a salt packet – the kind you find in a fast food restaurant.  She said, “Here, eat some of this to get through.”  I put a little on my tongue and instantly my body revved up – the sodium my body craved gave me the power I needed to run over the finish line.

My sister and I crossed the marathon finish line together – holding hands… what a beautiful memory!

In my life, God’s strength has been the salt…the “dynamis” (which means power in Greek) I have needed to get through the hard times.

In the weakest moments, He shows up.  Every time.

After working hard all day and coming home to love my family fully, there are moments when I feel empty and depleted.

Sometimes I feel as though there is nothing left of me.

That’s when I know I am walking completely in His strength and not my own.

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. John 3:14-15 (ESV)

When the Israelites traveled throughout the wilderness, they began to complain against God and against Moses.  So, God sent serpents among the people and many people died from snake bites.  When the people realized they had sinned against God, they went to Moses and asked him to pray for them.  He prayed for them.  God told Moses to put a snake on the end of his staff, hold it up, and if anyone gets bit they are to look at it and they would live. (Numbers 21:4-9)

Set your eyes up high and have life…

…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)

When our focus is on high, we overcome obstacles.

When our strength comes from God, we exchange the craziness of this life for eternal life.

For God so loved the world,that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (ESV)

Are you feeling weary today?
1.  Keep your eyes fixed on Him.
2.  Pray for His strength.
3.  Trust He will give you the strength (dynamis) to get through. One step at a time…one breath at a time.

Keeping our eyes fixed on Him allows for the rest of the obstacles to not seem so big.
We can have confidence in knowing that when we are weary from this race called “life,” He will send His “dynamis” or power to give us strength to the very end…so that, when we are finished we realize the race was won by Him.

Where does your “salt” come from?

 

Basking in His Light

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Mindy Lee Hopman, an author, speaker, and educator will lead you on the adventure of discovering your faith, establishing your identity in Christ, and finding your place with your people in this world.

  1. Gena

    February 13, 2014 at 7:40 am

    oh wow! I have been feeling quite depleted, empty, blah lately- thank you for the reminder that I can get that salt/strength from Him to make it through! Many Blessings!! Gena (Group 50)

  2. Cindy

    February 13, 2014 at 9:25 am

    What a beautiful post – I love how you related it to your marathon. So glad I clicked on your blog today. Blessings to you!

    Cindy
    http://www.welltrainedmama.com

  3. Shannon Marshall

    February 13, 2014 at 7:24 pm

    You spoke right at what I have been experiencing lately. Depleted, weary, exhausted, burned out….etc…you name it. I love the use in the example of salt. His salt is easily accessible to us if we only ask and partake. Instead, we keep running, going and going on our own strength only to crash and fall. And when I think not another moment can I take… He whispers in truth in my heart, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Thank you for your words of devotion. It is very inspiring.

    1. Mindy Lee Hopman

      February 13, 2014 at 9:24 pm

      Shannon, Yes our own strength runs out and we crash hard. Hoping He fills you with His strength to keep going to the end… Many blessings to you on this race we are running together!

  4. infinitelyfaithful

    February 13, 2014 at 8:46 pm

    First off, I never knew that salt could do that when you are struggling with finishing a race. Thanks for sharing!
    Also, thank you so much for the blog. I truly have been feeling exhausted and burned out with certain aspects of life lately, and your reminder to rely on salt/strength from Him was truly needed tonight.

    ~Sara Dillman, Group #43 small group leader

    1. Mindy Lee Hopman

      February 15, 2014 at 5:58 am

      Sara, neither did I! The other runner knew, and I will be forever grateful since it helped me finish the race. Thanks for stopping by and may God bless your ministry!

  5. Jenn Cook

    February 13, 2014 at 9:33 pm

    Minday, thank you for sharing the visual of the salt packet at the end of a marathon. That image of completely depletion being revved by the smallest of pick-me-ups. Check out my post on truth at: http://www.groundswellministries.org/2014/02/12/on-truth-and-independence/

    1. Mindy Lee Hopman

      February 15, 2014 at 5:57 am

      Sometimes what seems so small, is actually huge, right? Thank you, I will check it out!

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