Journal Entry // August 16, 2022
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. (ESV)
2 Corinthians 12:10
For the sake of Christ… It is always great to find special moments in God’s Word where small pieces of the mystery come together in my mind. This is one of the moments for me. Granted I know that I have understood that the motivation behind all of my actions should be for the sake of Christ. I know that my every step, word, and deed should be focused completely on Christ alone. I find it disconcerting that I can so easily veer off track and begin to make even my good actions and intentions more about me than about Jesus. I have been thinking a lot about contentment and humility as the Lord continues to bring these opportunities into my life. What I am realizing this morning is that I have drifted a bit from the centrality of Christ in my humble contentment. I can see where I have allowed myself to let some pride and self-focus take hold even of my humility and contentment. I make my contentment about me as I focus on myself instead of Jesus. Paul is telling me that even my contentment is for the sake of Christ. I am to be truly content and not just put on a face of happiness or joy before everyone and myself, but I am to be content for the sake of Christ. This is my motivation. That is where I will find peace and joy. Not in the contentment itself, but in the person and work of Jesus.
How can I be content with weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities? Truly content? There is only one answer and it can only be in union with Jesus. Humble contentment can only come from a man that fully understands that everything he does is for the sake of Christ. That’s a tough list to read and contemplate and have to live through each and every day with contentment. Yet, my heart knows that this is simply the same list that my Savior experienced during his time on earth and that he demonstrated complete contentment at all times. How can I be content in all of these situations? Christ has already shown me the path. He has marked out the path before me and shown me that he is able to walk it with humility and contentment. Then I can be sure that this same Jesus who has done all of this is united with me and the Spirit of the living God dwells within me. I am never ever alone on this path.
This is the source of my contentment. I am assured that the risen Christ is alive in me and is near. All of these hard situations and difficulties that were mentioned are here for my good and his glory. They are here to expose my weakness and to humble me. To make me humble and keep me humble. They are here to demonstrate the power of Christ alive in me. It is for the sake of Christ that I can be content in all things knowing that in my weakness I have the strength of Christ. So I keep moving forward in life. Not reluctantly or with a grumbling heart attitude. No, I move forward in life full of joy that my great and mighty Savior is united with me. He is here with me. He is my great rock and refuge. My weakness is not something to be ashamed of or to hide. My weakness will drive me to do away with my selfish pride and arrogance. My weakness will continue to push me down to my knees. My weakness will continue to reveal to the glory and beauty of Jesus Christ alive in my heart as he loves me completely. His steadfast love for me will never ever fail.