Church Family Update - June 10, 2020

A prayer request:

The farming households of Ebenezer have each been affected differently by the current economic situation. Some of them have been blessed to be able to continue on more or less as usual but others have been very negatively impacted by the economic downturn. So please continue to be in prayer for our farming households. 

Some encouraging opportunities to get together:

Today, for the first time since the instructions to stay at home were put in place in mid-March, we are able to host some of our seniors for coffee time here at the church building. What a blessing to be able to start gathering together again in person!

Also, all are invited to come to the church patio tomorrow (Thursday June 11) at 10:00 AM for fellowship and coffee. It looks like the weather will be nice so we’ll try to stay outside. Please bring your own coffee. We look forward to seeing many of you there.

A devotional thought:

“‘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.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Today I’m thinking about my (many) weaknesses. This is not a topic that I enjoy thinking about. Usually I like to pretend that I don’t have weaknesses. And if I’m confronted with an area of weakness, I try to compensate by ignoring that part of my life and focusing on the things I’m good at. 

But this week there’s no denying it. I’m not as strong or wise or capable as I wish I was. There are some things that I’m just not good at. Try as I may. Despite my impulse to deny my weakness or cover it up, today I’m choosing to embrace my weakness. In fact, I’m celebrating my weaknesses and thanking God for them. Why? Here are a few reasons:

My weaknesses remind me that I’m human (duh!).

My weaknesses remind me that I can’t do everything on my own and I need help from others (again, duh!).

My weaknesses give me empathy towards others who are weak in areas where I’m strong. 

My weaknesses keep me humble. 

My weaknesses teach me patience.

My weaknesses provide opportunities for growth. 

And…maybe most importantly, according to the verse above:

My weaknesses provide the opportunity for God’s power to be made perfect in me! Wow!

And so today I’m not begrudging my (many) weaknesses. I’m honestly acknowledging them. And I’m even celebrating them! In fact, I’m boasting in them!! And I am enjoying the power of Christ resting on me. And I invite you to do the same.

Have a good day enjoying your weakness!

Pastor Jason