Thorns

This passage takes me back to when I was a kid, and we would play manhunt in our woods. When we were hiding from the person that was trying to find us, we would carefully navigate with as little light as possible so we would not get noticed. However, when we were seen and being chased all care was cast aside and we did everything we could to get away. We forgot that we were now trying to do all of this on our own. There have been countless times where one of us would end up bleeding because we were crawling away, or running through a new part of the woods and thorns would stick in us and rip our flesh.

Paul is saying the same thing here. While it is very easy to get caught up in “my ministry” or “doing good works” for the Lord, we can sometimes forget they are works unto the Lord. We should not boast about ourselves. As soon as we decide we want to do things in our strength God is quick to show us His strength (the thorn). What Paul wants for us is to know God has the strength that we do not. From this we can put our full faith and trust in Him to get us through the things we cannot do by ourselves. 

How much better would it be if we continually reminded ourselves that it is ALL about Jesus and never about us? Even in the bad we would be able to exalt God above all else. 

Take time today to consider how you can give God more glory and not allow yourself to be exalted.

Cody R

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96 / ’08 Jacksonville FL