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This passage is classic, Paul. He fully displays the qualities that make him admirable or annoying, or both at the same time. Paul never tells us what his “thorn” is. Yet, Paul talks about the thorn, its purpose and his prayer for its removal. It appears he switches between saying he will not boast and the boasting about “the exceptional character of the revelation” he has received. But, I see it as Paul’s ecstatic praise for his trasformation experience because he shows solidarity with the human condition, his thorn or splinter in the flesh that keeps him from being haughty, exalting himself above others. The thorn gives him balance. God’s grace is sufficient for him (v.9). The thorn in the flesh was not a flaw or problem that Paul could change about himself or his circumstances, for Paul drastically changed and had completely dedicated himself to following God.
In a society that promotes independence and individualism, many of us find it easier to care for the needs of others than to have the situation reversed. Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” teaches us that we can’t begin healing until we recognize our own afflictions. We can’t be made whole until we recognize our weaknesses and our strengths.
Thorns can bring about positive or negative changes in our lives. You could spend all day along complaining about your thorn and never be what God wants you to be, or you can learn about His grace is sufficient for you. You can get “bitter” or you can get “better” when dealing with your thorn.
Paul prayed three times for the removal of the “thorn.” But God did not remove the “thorn”. Thus gives pause to consider, what is the thorn that God uses in our lives? I think that sometimes one of my thorns is patience. You know what I mean. It’s the kind of patience that causes us to pray “God give me patience and I want it right now “kind-of-a-thing.” Because I rely on God’s grace, my growing relationship with Christ magnifies his power working in and through me, making me stronger to deal with challenges coming my way.
In spite of how weak this “thorn” made Paul, God gave him the strength that he needed to endure: He just let Christ take over! And so the weaker he got, the stronger he became. God’s grace is sufficient because His power is made perfect in our weakness.
It is precisely in our moments of misunderstanding, weakness, vulnerability that God’s power is most clearly displayed. It is during these horrific situations that we must fully rely on God’s strength rather than our own. Essentially,this allows God’s power to shine through more brightly. In our prayer, we ask to become more content with God’s perfectly sufficient power and we find joy. Amen.
Rev. Carole
Assistant Pastor
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