Introduction
The Japanese art of restoring broken pottery is called Kintsugi, which literally means "golden joinery." It is more than just a technique; it is deeply connected to Japanese philosophies like wabi-sabi (embracing imperfection) and mottainai (avoiding waste). Instead of concealing the cracks, Kintsugi highlights them with gold, silver, or platinum, making the repaired piece even more beautiful and valuable than before. It serves as a beautiful metaphor for life, showing that our flaws and experiences can make us stronger and more beautiful.
Like the Kintsugi artist, God develops humility in us despite and even because of our flaws and weaknesses, through the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. He uses difficult circumstances to shape our character.
In today's passage, the Apostle Paul provides a personal account of how God intervened in his life to cultivate humility as a fundamental aspect of his character. This journey towards humility was undoubtedly challenging and painful, filled with trials and tribulations, yet the outcome is nothing short of life-transforming. Ultimately, it brings glory to God, illustrating the divine power of God at work within us.
To truly develop humility, we must place our trust in God, allowing Him to work within us. It is through His guidance and strength that we become willing and able to embody this essential character trait. As we submit to God's will, He shapes our hearts and minds, enabling us to reflect His humility in our daily lives. Through this transformative journey, we become living testimonies of God's grace and power, showcasing the beauty of humility as He intended. God develops humility in us through four stages:
Four Stages:
Stage One: Humbling Occasion (verses 1-7)
Paul is hesitant to boast because he believes there is nothing to gain from it (v.1). Instead, he speaks of a man who had an extraordinary experience: being caught up to the third heaven (paradise) and hearing "inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell" (vv.2-5). In reality, Paul is talking about himself (v.6). Aware of the risk of pride, he states, "But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say." In verse 7, God does something further to prevent him from becoming conceited. Paul receives a "thorn in the flesh," which he describes as "a messenger of Satan, to torment me." Its exact nature is unclear, but it causes significant emotional distress.
Even if we do not wish to become proud, God understands our true needs. He may allow humbling situations to initiate the development of humility within us. While this may result in emotional stress, God is working in our hearts to transform us.
Stage Two: Personal Frustration (verses 8)
Paul's initial reaction is to pray repeatedly, three times (v.8), asking God to remove the thorn. However, God says no. Often, when we face limitations or difficulties, we want God to rescue or deliver us. When our requests are not granted, we become frustrated. We wish to control and change the situation as quickly as possible. Realizing our lack of control can make us more anxious, afraid, and angry. This is a crucial moment because God wants us to see the true source of our pride: the Old Sinful Self. The humbling experience reveals what's truly inside Paul, as it would for us. We are often unaware of how much of our old selves still lurk beneath our external words or actions, even if they may sound or look spiritual. When a humbling occasion occurs, the truth about ourselves is exposed.
We must not be afraid to talk about our feelings when we are going through difficulty. Hiding it or denying it will not help. This is part of what God is doing in us to make us willing and able to fulfill His will.
Stage Three: Gracious Revelation (verse 9a)
Eventually, God spoke to him and offered a gracious revelation: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (verse 9a). This humbling experience was meant to be positive, not negative. God intended Paul's experience to teach him a lesson he needed to learn and never forget: God's power is displayed when Paul is willing to admit and embrace his weaknesses. Indeed, this revelation impacted Paul deeply, and he remembered the Lord's words even though they were spoken long ago.
If we wait patiently for the Lord and seek His wisdom, God will reveal what we need to learn in any situation. Being angry or venting should be temporary. Our goal should be to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, so we can hear God's word or lesson clearly.
Stage Four: Christlike Transformation (verses 9b-10)
As a result of God's revelation, Paul ultimately concluded: “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (verses 9b-10) Here, we gain some insight into the "thorn" Paul was likely referring to or at least related to what he was mentioning earlier. But what matters most is that Paul experienced a Christlike transformation due to his experience and the revelation he received from the Lord. Instead of complaining about his "thorns," he now gladly boasts about his weaknesses for Christ’s sake. He can delight in them now, which is the opposite of his initial response in verse 8.
God develops humility in us from the inside out, not from the outside in. He does not change our situations; He transforms our character through the power of His Holy Spirit and His word. We must allow perseverance to complete its work in us so that we may become spiritually mature at the end of every humbling occasion.
Conclusion
"God develops our humility by transforming us through difficulty.” This process is often challenging and uncomfortable. We may not like it, nor do we always understand why it is necessary, but God is wiser than our ways and His understanding surpasses our own. He knows exactly what we need to learn and how we need to learn it, guiding us through experiences that build character and deepen our faith. Though the journey may be arduous and the lessons may not be immediately clear, each trial serves a purpose in shaping us into more humble and compassionate individuals. Trusting in His wisdom, we can embrace these challenges as opportunities for growth, knowing that God’s ultimate plan for us is rooted in love and designed for our spiritual enrichment. ''
Questions for Personal or Group Reflection
1. Can you recall a specific situation in your life where you felt humbled? How did you respond, and what did you learn about yourself during that time? How can this experience help you develop humility?
2. Think about a current challenge or limitation you are facing. What emotions arise when you consider this situation? How might God be using this experience to reveal areas of pride or self-reliance in your life?
3. In what ways have you experienced God's grace during times of weakness? How has God’s strength been made perfect in your weaknesses? How can you apply this understanding to your present circumstances?
4. Paul learned to delight in his weaknesses for Christ's sake. How can you adopt a similar mindset in your own life? What steps can you take to embrace your weaknesses as opportunities for growth and transformation?
5. The journey towards humility is often challenging. How do you typically respond to difficult situations? What changes can you make to better trust in God's wisdom and embrace challenges as opportunities for spiritual growth?