Weaknesses transformed – Strength.

And what more shall I say?

I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, 

who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised;

who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; 

whose weakness was turned to strength; 

and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 

Hebrew 11:32-34

Background

Hebrews 11.  Called the Hall of Faith.  Some of the biggest biblical exploits.  Some of the most famous biblical characters.  And each character was linked by one common denominator.  They were flawed. 

Gideon – Led 300 warriors into battle with 135,000 Midianites.  A suicide mission.  He prevailed.  But in a discussion with an angel on a recruiting assignment, disbelief.  He claimed his clan was the weakest.  He was the lowest in his family.  Gideon required multiple fleeces to persuade him to step into an unlikely story. 

Barak – Assigned a name which meant “lightning”.  Defeated an oppressor.  United the tribes of Israel.  But when first approached by Deborah for the mission, said he would only go if she went with him.

Samson – Elevated into a position as an Israelite judge.  Enormous strength.  And courage.  For years an inflictor of pain and frustration for the Philistines.  But had signs of a sexual addiction.

Jephthah – Recruited as a mighty warrior to lead Israel against the Ammonites.  And later the Ephraimites.  Unfavorable odds.  He led Israel to victory.  But came from an unlikely blood line – his mother a prostitute.  He was driven out of his family by his half-brothers and sisters.  Raw rejection.  And developed a reputation for fighting by leading a band of outlaws.

David – Became the most popular king in Israel’s history.  His exploits started with 5 stones.  And Goliath.  And a belief that God’s power was bigger than loud and brazen insults.  But had a father who believed he was the most unlikely candidate of his brothers for a royal assignment.  But who had a penchant for the ladies.  So much so that he stole the wife of one of his mighty men.  Betrayal.

Samuel – Grew into a fearless judge.  Prophet.  And priest.  He spoke truth to power.  Despite the potential for death.   He reprimanded Saul.  And recruited David.  But, was given by his mother and father to a priest.   A humble start.

This hall of faith chapter emphasizes yet another inverted kingdom value.   It is tucked into verse 34… where it describes these scriptural giants ”whose weakness was turned to strength”.   

It begs a direct question –  Is it really possible that God finds joy in writing personal stories where greatness is often forged first in…weakness?

This passage answers that question.  Yes.

The greatest God-given assignments are often delegated to the most unlikely characters.  Broken and weak people.  The most unlikely.  Even vessels that have character flaws.  

Their weakness was frequently transformed into something beautiful. Unpredictable.  Even unimaginable.      

Pain.  Embarrassment.   Abuse.  Rejection.  Misfits. All carefully molded.  Reformed.  Sifted.  And architected into the unimaginable.  A strength.

This Yahweh uses unconventional means.  And methods.  To author spectacular turnaround stories.  Joseph.  Moses.  Joshua.  Esther.  Mordecai.  Ruth.  Mary.  John the Baptist.  Peter.  The disciples.  Paul.     

Reflections

This divine story-writing strategy gives me hope.

I consider myself firmly ordinary.  Daily I inventory my limitations.  My weaknesses.  I spend too much time chronicling my pain. 

As with many, my life journey is filled with misses.  I have too frequently hidden when a strong presence was required.  Or retreated from relational rejection when the inflictor needed me to do the opposite – lovingly pursue with extravagance (regardless of outcome).  Or medicated my pain.  Or focused on protecting me when those close to me were desperate for me to focus on protecting them.  I have too often played it safe when risk-taking was required…The list goes on.   

It is in my history that I personally identify with elements of each of their stories and flaws:  Gideon; Barak; Samson; Jephthah; David and Samuel.

And it is in my limitations; weaknesses and my ordinariness where I wonder if I just might qualify.  To be a candidate.  For yet another spectacular story.  Of before and after.  Where the final chapter isn’t defined by what I brought to the table. But was predicated on the power and love of a God who breathed life and favor. 

And decided it was time.  To turn my weaknesses.  Into strength. 

And decided it was time. To write yet another spectacular story. 

And this time He chose another unlikely candidate. Me.   

Lord, we live in a culture that assigns deep value and admiration to those that are successful.   Or appear most gifted or confident.  We love the winners.  Not so much for the losers. Or the ordinary. Within the church we too frequently utilize a similar measuring stick. 

But in your kingdom you employ a different formula.  Please turn my weaknesses into strengths.  That can be used to advance your glory.  Please don’t let my final life’s legacy be defined by my gifts.  Or efforts.  But in the mystery that begs the possibility of a different conclusion – “The before and after is unimaginable – His life was ordinary and broken. He had to be imprinted by strength from the mysterious favor of God.”  

What if God’s sovereign plan for you (or me) was to recreate a modern-day story of Gideon?

What if I began to live a life of increased expectancy?  Even faith?  That it is possible, even likely, that this transformative power is going to rewrite my story?  And that my long list of weaknesses increasingly qualify me?