By Bro Philip Largas
Meditative reading: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
The messages of Apostle Jonathan of late have been encouraging us to open our hearts towards revival as a church as well as to our own personal revival as well.
As we aim for revival however we can be tempted to think of our own weaknesses; Yes revival is possible in the church but is it possible in me? Are my weaknesses going to hinder revival in me?
Here in our meditative reading, we can briefly see a description of a great man of God lamenting about his struggle with his weakness in 3 short verses.
Many scholars of the Bible speculate on what the Apostle Paul meant about his “thorn in the flesh”. Was it his physical appearance or his physical ailments or was it a group of individuals constantly causing him trouble in his ministry?
There’s no clearcut answer, only speculation. However, we all know this passage relates to our human weaknesses and struggles in life caused by circumstances beyond our control.
We all have “thorns in our flesh”. After all, we always struggle with a weakness or situation that we are powerless to stop.
But of all the things that Apostle Paul used to illustrate his hardships, why did he use the word thorn?
This made me think. Plants have thorns. Although I’m not much of a connoisseur in gardening, I can appreciate aesthetically pleasing flowers from time to time. More importantly, I too am a victim of having my flesh punctured by thorns. Not a pleasant experience at all.
But why do plants have thorns?
According to botany (or plant science), a lot of plants grow thorns as a defense mechanism to keep themselves from being eaten up by hungry herbivores. Many beautiful plants from barberry, hawthorn and most famous of them all the roses make every garden look beautiful.
Thorns are painful but oftentimes are used to protect something of beauty.
But what does this have anything to do with our own pain and suffering?
According to Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, to keep him from becoming conceited, it was God himself who gave a thorn in his flesh. Apostle Paul received a great trust from God and also has a very impressive resume in his ministry and service to God, yet there had to be that one thing that he wanted to get rid of but to no avail.
Apostle Paul had his share of trials and weaknesses. But Jesus Christ reassured him that this thorn in the flesh, whatever it may have been, was for his own good. This was to show that the grace of God is sufficient. Apostle Paul also had the spiritual sensitivity to realize that’s what the Lord intended.
Oftentimes, we loathe our own weaknesses. We are hard on ourselves because of our limited abilities, our bad upbringing, our lack of education or some flaws that we have. But have you considered them to actually be a blessing from God to protect you from being prideful?
It is our pride that leads us to destruction (Proverbs 16:18).
It is when we lift ourselves up when we begin to fall. Perhaps God allows these thorns in our flesh to prick us constantly as a reminder for us to step down and allow Christ to be exalted.
If we are more spiritually sensitive we can realize it’s God leading us to a posture of humility, this priming us towards revival. Finding meaning in our thorn in the flesh can actually position us to a personal revival in our lives, just like it did for Apostle Paul.
Perhaps these thorns are protecting the beautiful “roses” in our lives; our friendships, our family life, our careers, our ministries, our church membership or our walk with Jesus Christ. It is pride that can possibly “eat up”.
Now to be clear, the weaknesses of ours never justifies sin or disobedience. However, God wants us to have a sober view of our human limitations in order that we humble ourselves to walk in the Spirit and not in our flesh (Galatians 5:17).
Let’s accept our weaknesses and not be in denial. However, let’s allow our weaknesses to bring us to trust in God’s grace more rather than to dwell in self- flagellation and pity.
Reflection: What is your thorn in the flesh and how did this humble you to seek God’s grace as we pray for revival?
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