Grace, grace, God's grace...

It's January in America. The discussions of resolutions and goals that accompany this season leave many of us with lists and plans to improve one or more aspects of our life or person. Over-achieving, obsessive compulsive, type-A personalities are especially happy this time of year  :) Sometimes these goals and resolutions are healthy and lead to positive life change. Other times they are simply egocentric and designed to satisfy our inner desires for perfection. Whatever the motive may be, they almost always revolve around something that we actually can control.

After some reflection last night, I found my mind dwelling on the idea that there are some things about ourselves or our situations that can never be changed, no matter how hard we resolve to change them. Stick with me! I am not trying to throw water on the flames that burn bright this time of year.I'm not speaking of those things such as losing weight, or learning a new language, or reading more books... I'm speaking of those things the Apostle Paul calls "a thorn in the flesh." He speaks of his experience in the following narrative:

"So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me." 
                                                                                                   2 Corinthians 12.7-8 (ESV)


If Paul was into resolutions, I can just see his list that year:

New Year's Resolutions 55 A.D.~
#1- Write to the Corinthians
#2- Work on a new technique for tent-making
#3- Pray more. Fast more. Get rid of this thorn!!!!! 


Much debate exists over the specifics of his thorn. I have my own ideas. I will keep them to myself :)
From the narrative above, we can see that it was from Satan and it was allowed by God.
(The fact that it was not a natural consequence of foolishness merits attention. He was not reaping the consequence of a sinful action. Otherwise, it would have been called discipline, correction, or reproof- not a thorn). We cannot definitively know what this thorn was, but the main thing is he had one and he couldn't get rid of it. Even after praying. Even after praying multiple times. God's simple reply to Paul was, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12.9 (ESV)

Wow.

He didn't say, "Your efforts have fallen short, so I will not answer you."
He did not say, "Your faith is weak, so I am not listening."
He did not say, "If only you really believed, you would be delivered."

No! God's grace is sufficient. If you are reading this, you are a human, and as such, having spent any amount of time on this earth, you have suffered to do some degree. Sickness. Cancer. Loss of a child, spouse, or any loved one. Infertility. Loss of a job through no wrongdoing of your own. Financial instability, even after making wise decisions. Loss of innocence through another's sin. The list goes on and on. So many times these painful experiences lead us to a spiritual wilderness, where we question how a good and loving God can allow such things. We can never change these experiences that have led us here. This is difficult to grasp, and the spiritual wrestling over these thoughts can be intense. But... God's grace is sufficient. I am comforted by this truth, even if I cannot completely grasp it!

Reading: Numbers. I will be excited to finish this portion of the 90-day Bible reading plan... *sigh*
Crafting: Still organizing :)
Studying: Ephesians 1