Male peacocks are resplendent creatures with iridescent blue-green
plumage and elongated trains tipped with “eyes” colored in hues of gold, red,
and blue. They are strikingly beautiful birds, but they have ugly feet!
To be honest, most of us have some type of physical limitation. It may
be something we’ve borne all our lives or one we’ve recently acquired.
Paul described his deficiency as a “thorn in the flesh” that kept him
humble (2 Cor. 12:7-9). Three times he asked the Lord to remove it, probably
thinking that he could then serve God better. But the Lord assured him, “My
grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Paul
replied, “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the
power of Christ may rest upon me.”
One of the ironies of faith is that God often chooses us to accomplish
His most important tasks despite our
imperfections, not because of our speaking ability, looks, or fitness for the
task. Missionary Hudson Taylor said, “God was looking for someone weak enough
to use, and he found [you and me]!” When we find our strength in Him, He can
use us in ways we could never imagine (v.9).
God’s strength is best seen in our weakness. (RBC)
