Good Morning,
Today’s devotional comes from Dr. Michelle Bauml, an Associate Professor in the College of Education. She is also the faculty advisor for the TCU Catholic student organization on campus. She feels very blessed to be part of the TCU community, and she is grateful to work with such amazing students and colleagues.
Reading
2 Corinthians 12:9-10, “But he said to me, ‘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. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Reflection
As we look ahead to the final days of Lent that will culminate in the celebration of Easter Sunday, this might be a good time to reflect on our Lenten journey thus far. How’s it going?
Perhaps, like me, you made grand plans to “do this” or “give up doing that” during Lent this year. And perhaps, like me, you failed to stick to it. Or maybe you have fervently stuck to your plans only to find that your habits have changed, but your heart hasn’t. St. Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians remind us that the Lord can do His best work in our weakness.
In our society, self-sufficiency is often perceived as the ultimate strength. We don’t like asking for help or coming to terms with any kind of failure. Even the word “weakness” is uncomfortable for many of us. I think the invitation coming through St. Paul is to recognize that unless we are weak, there is really no room for the Lord to show us His love by meeting our needs.
God doesn’t seek perfection from us; he’s after our hearts, made perfect by His grace. “Rend your heart, not your garments…,” we read in the Old Testament (Joel 2:13). When we struggle with our faith, our will, our understanding, or anything, we can choose to lay it all at the foot of the cross. God wants to take our aching, pandemic-weary, imperfect hearts and strengthen us as only He can. Mercifully, our journey through Lent—and life—is about progress, not perfection.
Prayer
Merciful Father, thank you for loving us enough to meet us in our weakness. May we be encouraged knowing that you don’t seek perfection; you want our hearts. As Easter approaches, help us to lean into your strength when our weaknesses are exposed. Amen.
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