Embracing the Thorn

Yesterday was quite a special Sunday at my church here in Louisville (Immanuel Baptist). We had a brother get baptized (by FULL immersion) and 14 people got voted in to be church members. What added to this glorious Sunday was the ordination and laying on of hands of 3 godly men to the office of Elder (Pastor). You see, Immanuel has been growing a lot recently and thus there has been a growing need for more shepherds to care for us flock. There were previously 3 Elders/Pastors, and now with 3 more, we are now graced with double the amount of plurality in the elder board. I’m very excited to see what God would do through Immanuel for the local community around our church, which is in the “hood” (fairly low in terms of socio-economic levels). And hopefully with this addition of elders, the membership application process can be a bit quicker!

Our Discipleship Pastor, Jeff King, spoke for the Ordination service from 2 Corinthians 12:1-10. It was the first time in a long time for me to hear a full exposition on this passage concerning humility. Pastor King reminded us of 3 things: that the origin of humility is God who gives it to Paul as a gift through a thorn in his flesh; the aim of the humility was to show Paul the sufficiency of God’s grace; and the impact of humility was to magnify God’s power in that weakness.

Humility –> Intimate fellowship with God –> Power in weakness

Thus, the place of most spiritual power is in humility through weakness.

During Sunday’s sermon, I tried harder to seek the Spirit to apply the message to my own life. Being a theological geek, I usually take scribbled notes in my Moleskine. And instead of concentrating on what the passage means to me personally, I have often in the past simply sought to understand what the text means in the original context in which it was written. I’ve noticed that in the past, I have concentrated less on how God is speaking to me directly, and only learning about the Scriptures for a mainly academic/theological purpose. I was recently reminded through an older seminarian about the need to apply the text wholly to myself — and listen to the voice of God speak to me, to truly hear what God wants to teach me.

Hence, I have been considering what thorn there is in my flesh that God has put into my life to keep me from being prideful; what thorn that I have pleaded with God numerous times to remove but that which He has Divinely left for a greater purpose. I think I figured it out, though it is not a thorn necessarily from a messenger of Satan, it is nevertheless a thorn that God has given me to keep me humble and dependent on Him. In so far that I have tried to and tried to rid myself of it, and begged the Lord to rid me of it, He still has not removed it and its purpose for being in me is becoming ever present as I meditate on this: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor 12:9)

I think God simply wants me to stop trying to get rid of the thorn, but to embrace it. Because there is no other way to get relief from this spiritual hindrance than to fully rely on the constant availability of divine grace. Thus, when I am willing to embrace this thorn, God will continually supply me with the grace to endure it. The more weak I may seem because of the thorn, the more clearly God’s grace shines forth, and therefore I have all the reason to rejoice in the power of Christ that is revealed through me.

SDG