Strength

Aren't we humans funny?

At least for me, I feel that I am such a bag of contradictions. It is as though both push and pull exist simultaneously in my life.

We know, and we accept that we as humans are not perfect. But when other people's flaws come to light, we focus on those flaws and are unable to look past those flaws to who the person really is. We distract ourselves from the fact that the person may, and most likely have redeeming qualities.

But when it comes to ourselves, when our flaws are brought to our attention, somehow we can't stand it. We begin to try to justify the things that we do, we try to cover the faults with our (most probably unrelated) strengths, we try to brush it off, we try everything we can; we even try to point out that imperfection is inherent in everyone; no one's perfect.

Somehow, we can try to accept imperfection in ourselves, but not in others.

But the fact of the matter is this: We still feel very much uncomfortable with the notion that we are flawed, that we are not perfect. It is one thing to have knowledge that everyone is imperfect; yet it is another thing to experience it in ourselves, and have it brought to the attention of ourselves, and the people around.

A recent revelation of mine: Strength is much valued in the world, but it is our weaknesses that make us reliant on something other than ourselves for strength. We know we are imperfect, yet we want to rely on our own strengths. But it is exactly because we are imperfect that we cannot rely on our own strengths, however strong those may be.

Some times, we really can't make it on our own. Some times, merely admitting that we need help is the greatest strength that we can have. Some times, it's good to know someone stronger than us.

So, where do you turn to when you know that you can't exactly rely on your own strength?

When I am weak, then I am strong. II Corinthians 12:9-10