Romans 8:26 Likewise
the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for
as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too
deep for words.
These are some of the most encouraging words in Scripture for
many people. The verse touches on two very difficult problems in the human
heart:
1) We are
weak
2) We are
sometimes so weak, we can not even pray.
Weakness as a church worker or the spouse of a church worker
can be difficult to handle, even for the most “real” of people. Sometimes we
feel pressure to keep it together, to be strong for others, or to power through
even when we feel weak. The reality is that these verses apply to us also. What
are your weaknesses? How does God want to shine through them? Can we let Him?
Perhaps these weaknesses, whether in character, or skill, or struggle, help us
cling to God and His Spirit in a way we wouldn’t without them. Our people see
this, our families see this, and God is glorified.
What about the groanings? The Spirit stands in our stead,
crying out to God. Mere words do not suffice sometimes. This also leads us and
others to look beyond. This place without words, when we can not reach in our
deepest part and come up with something to say, to others or to God, allows
God’s strength and not our own to shine through. It causes us and others to
look beyond this earthly life, waiting, longing for something more, something
better. And isn’t that our work, anyway, to be mere vehicles of God’s Spirit,
whether in evident power or by groanings in struggle.
Sometimes we are called to be a Joshua, ready for battle.
God’s strength in us, appears just like that- strength, full and brave. At
other times, God asks us to be Moses, arms obviously tired and worn, being held
up by the Spirit and those around us.
Identify a time in your life when God worked through the
struggle to show you or others Himself and His Spirit. Do you lend toward
covering your weaknesses or being transparent with your family and church so
they can see through you to God? May God fill you will His Spirit in times of
strength and times of weakness. His Spirit never lets go.
