Weakness is never the goal. Humans are wired to celebrate strength, winners, those who are on top. But we physically come into the world very weak.
Humans enter the world particularly vulnerable compared to the natural world. Our babies are born completely dependent on their mothers for food and mobility. Meanwhile, baby elephants are walking an hour after birth and keeping up with the herd within a day, chicks feed themselves within hours, and baby turtles find their own way to the ocean immediately after hatching.
And humans enter the world from one of the weakest moments in the human condition. I would know because I am currently 34 weeks pregnant, and I’ll confess—I’m weak! I need more help than usual, and this is hard for me to admit as a leader and millennial female.
But while culture may convince me to claim this pregnant state with an empowered “I am woman hear me roar” attitude, I find the Bible calling me to a more natural surrender. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, God tells Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
As I process my own weakness, I have the luxury of witnessing the truth of this verse at GraceWorks every day. When a neighbor comes to GraceWorks, they are admitting weakness—things are harder than usual and they simply can’t get through it alone.
But displays of His power follow every time. It’s not just the food we provide or the rent/utility bill we pay—it’s what happens in our neighbors’ minds and souls that makes me believe God’s power is on full display.
In fact, GraceWorks had a statistician help us understand some of the impact our programs are having in our neighbors’ hearts, and we were blow away. Here are a few of my favorite stats:
- 63% of neighbors reported they are more hopeful about their financial future after they receive food from our pantry. That jumps to 75% after they receive rent or utility bill assistance in our shelter program.
- 79% of neighbors changed the way they viewed their situation after coming to GraceWorks.
- 73% felt a significant increase in their self-confidence and pride in providing basic needs for their families.
GraceWorks did not bring about these changes in neighbors’ hearts and minds. No. We simply created a place where they could bring their weakness and be met with grace. As the Bible tells us—it is on the fertile ground of weakness that His power will be made perfect!
So, as I prepare to welcome my son into the world in a few weeks, I am trying to cherish my weaknesses and learning to anticipate the mighty power of God on display in my life.
I pray you join me in celebrating our weaknesses as fertile ground for God’s best work. And if you want to see it in action, come get to know GraceWorks more.
Come volunteer with us, stop by our Thrift Store to support our programs, or reach out for a tour. We’d be honored to share more stories of powerful transformation at GraceWorks!
—Alicia