Partnering with God in Our Brokenness

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” - 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

As I waited for my subway order, I observed a man in Ace Hardware meticulously testing every shovel, examining their weight and balance as if choosing a partner for a critical task. For over five minutes, he evaluated each one—some he deemed unworthy and placed back on the shelf, while others passed his scrutiny. This simple act reminded me of how we often feel pressure to measure up or meet certain standards in life and faith.

Yet, in our relationship with God, we don’t have to worry about our shortcomings. God created us for His purpose, and He delights in using us just as we are—broken, imperfect, and in need of His grace. His love reaches us in our weakness, and it’s in those very moments that His strength shines through. We can be grateful that God doesn’t expect us to be perfect; instead, He invites us to team up with Him each day for His good works. Remember, no matter how far we wander, He is always there, chasing us down with love and faithfulness.

Like me, I hope you can take a moment to rejoice in this truth: we are enough because God’s grace is sufficient for us. May we lean into our weaknesses, knowing that through them, Christ’s power can be made perfect. Praise God for His enduring love and for the incredible way He partners with us!

Just in case anyone is wondering, he ended up with the shovel in his left hand.