Strength in Weakness

On a visit to my parents house last year, I was trying to do something that I was physically capable of handling on my own, but Andy said something so profound and so sweet that it still resonates with me today:

"I know you're strong enough, but can I please help you?"

This may not initially seem like a big deal, but for someone who was used to doing things on her own and learning how to take care of herself in as many ways as possible, it was most definitely a big deal.

Lately, I have been pretty sick and very dependent upon my husband to an extent that has stretched my sense of independence. He has catered to my needs, encouraged and fought for my rest, and stroked my brow to help me achieve much-fought for sleep. Everyday he goes to work and still cares for me when he gets home. Andy expresses his appreciation for my efforts at home and extols my academic efforts, as well. He brags on me and encourages me to pursue Yahweh's calling on my life. He is truly my helpmate.

In an even larger way, Andy's desire to relieve my burden demonstrates Christ to me. All too often, we strive to live out our lives on our own strength and under our own power. Pride gets in the way and shames any weaknesses that are a given in life. After all,

"I truly can do this on my own, for corn's sake! I took care of myself for years and learned how to do things without anyone's help. I was strong because I had to be strong. Who else was going to take care of me?!"

Yep. That was my mindset. Never mind the fact that Yahweh was my Sustainer.

I was independent and could do it on my own. 
               I was not weak. 
                            I could not be weak. 
                                          There is no room for weakness in the world.

Such fallacy is a dangerous message from the world.

 Check out what the Bible has to say about weakness:

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 of my 

weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest 

upon me. 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. - 2 Cor. 12:9–10.

For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, 

Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith 

conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, 

stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, 

escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, 

became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight....And all these, 

though commended through their faith, did not receive 

what was promised, since God had provided something better for us,

 that apart from us they should not be made perfect. - Heb 11:32–34, 39–40.

Since then we have a great high priest who has 

passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God,

 let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest

 who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, 

but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, 

yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near 

to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy 

and find grace to help in time of need. - Heb 4:14–16.

Even our Messiah endured weakness during his time on earth in order to relate to us and give us the confidence to approach the throne of grace in our weakness that we may receive his strength.

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Mt 11:28–30.

 

A yoke is a wooden contraption to ensure that two work animals walk parallel with each other in order to share the burden of plowing or pulling. In the Bible, a yoke is consistently referred to as parable for spiritual burden (Dt 28:48, Is 9:4, Hos 10:11, Ac 15:10). The weight of this burden was carried seemingly without a respite in sight. However, Jesus knew of the various yokes that were placed upon his people long ago and the self-imposed yokes they were bearing. When he came to serve as the sacrificial lamb, he desired for them to relinquish themselves of carrying the sole responsibility of their spiritual burdens and trust him as the Messiah for whom they had long-awaited. He desired to be their rest, their Sustainer, their yoke-carrier. All it took was for them to make that choice to trust him.

The same is true for us today. While I have given my life to Yeshua the Messiah, I must continually surrender to him any load that comes my way. The burdens they represent are far weightier than any he intended me to bear. It is up to me to surrender each burden and let him bear the load. Just as he bore the weight of the sin of world when he died on the cross as the final sacrificial lamb, was buried, and rose on the third day as the Savior of the world. As he said in Matthew 11:30, "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

  Cast your burden on the LORD,
      and he will sustain you;
                  he will never permit
      the righteous to be moved. - Ps 55:22.

            I lay down and slept;
      I woke again, for the LORD sustained me.

- Ps 3:5.

My husband's words are so similar to the Savior's words (albeit, on a much more human level) and serve to remind me that my weaknesses and burdens do not have to be carried alone.  I only have to relinquish them to the throne of grace and take up his yoke in which I will find all the strength needed to sustain in this life.

"I know you're strong enough, but can I please help you?"