“Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:10 NKJV
A pandemic by nature opens up the concept of immunity. Daily reports are offered on the subject of drugs and vaccinations to address the COVID-19 virus. The population is clamoring for an answer and desperately wants some medical expert or pharmaceutical company to generate something that will provide us immunity. Perhaps something will be developed in this crisis to assist us. I know this area of drugs and vaccinations can cause a heated debate on its own. I will leave that debate to minds brighter than mine. That being said, I can tell you that drugs or vaccinations will not immunize you from the reality of some aspect of loss in life. There is always the possibility, and indeed probability, that you will face some aspect of loss. This quarantined “season” is demonstrating the truth of that reality. Everybody has experienced some degree of loss navigating this season.
The Bible, however, teaches me that “loss”, while not to be totally unexpected, is actually paradoxical when you are a citizen of Christ’s Kingdom. A paradox is something that seems absurd or contradictory; a self-contradictory statement; or something contrary to popular belief or expectation. The Bible often times teaches it as follows…
The one who saves his life shall lose it, but he who loses his life for My sake shall find it…
If you humble yourself under the hand of God, He will exalt you in due season….
The last shall be first and the first shall be last…
The greatest shall be abased, but the servant shall be the greatest of all…
These are paradoxical statements. The Kingdom is built upon paradox. Story after biblical story can be found illustrating the power of Kingdom paradox. Joseph, Moses, Daniel, and David are instant illustrations of the God of paradox. So, while I am not immune from loss, I am confident and expectant that my citizenship in the Kingdom will make that apparent loss some form of paradox. That is what Paul was communicating to the Corinthian Church. It was not that he “liked” being found in infirmity, reproach, need, persecution, or distress; but rather he understood that at those weak moments is when he found himself strengthened in the Lord.
I am reminding myself that when I am weak, is the very moment I am strongest. I know, it sounds impossible, or even crazy, but that is the nature of the Kingdom. This pandemic has wreaked havoc and loss amongst the nations and the people of those nations. Loss of jobs, economic collapse, isolation, and death has touched untold millions. But could it be if we turned our hearts and lives to Jesus Christ and entered His Kingdom, that this unprecedented loss might be turned to unparalleled triumph? Perhaps that is why Paul states that he actually “took pleasure” in such moments, because he understood that loss, for the believer, is the fertile ground which springs a victory to the glory of God.
Even as I type these thoughts my mind races back to the early years of following the Lord. I remember when I was saved that I “lost” the friends of that lifetime and there were some days of loneliness; yet God took that loss and out of it produced friendships that span the globe today. I remember when I was filled with the Spirit and I lost ministerial friends and colleagues who couldn’t (or wouldn’t) embrace my testimony or continued friendship; again, the Lord took that “loss” and provided pastoral friendships which cross both denominational and geographical borders. I have lost jobs, only to find better ones. I have been marginalized, only to be promoted. I have been abased, only to later abound. I have been sick, only to be healed. And the truth of the matter is that one day I shall die, only to be resurrected.
I am a walking paradox…
Those who are citizens of Christ’s Kingdom are paradoxes too…
I have this sense…
Call it intuition…
Call it prophetic…
Call it a word of knowledge…
Or perhaps it is a word of wisdom…
But if we seek the Lord and His Kingdom and righteousness in this pandemic hour…
We may come forth with an anointing to heal and move in great power…
May it be so Lord Jesus…
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