Douglas Webster, The Discipline of Surrender, Chapter 10


A powerful chapter not only describing the passion of our Lord but also bringing out the ways that thorns in our flesh keep us humble, relieve us of our self-sufficiency, and get us into "weakness" so that God's power can be unleashed.

Webster writes,"The thorn is not an obstacle to God's will but a catalyst for doing God's will... it prepares us for ministry" (p.98). Of course much of the world sees weakness as something that prohibits success. Not so with God. His is an upside-down kingdom. I can remember so well my own struggles in becoming ordained to the Priesthood, some 25 years ago. I struck out not three, but four times! Yet, with each passing strike my self-sufficiency lessoned. It wasn't until the fourth strike that I fell to my knees completely emptied of how I could be a good priest, or how the church needed my gifts, or what a terrific guy I could be to this or that particular people group... That's when God said, "Finally, something I can work with!" 

It reminds me of a story I once heard of John Wimber, the founder of the Vineyard Movement. One night he was found in a cheap hotel at the end of his rope, completely exhausted from doing ministry. Nothing was happening. No souls being saved, no healings happening, no nothing. To him, pastoring the church seemed senseless. He rolled over and fell to his knees and remained there, at the side of the bed, completely emptied before the Lord. It was then when a beautiful thing happened. He heard the voice of the Lord say, "John, I've seen your ministry. Now I want to show you mine." John was finally ready. He returned to his church with new priorities. It wasn't easy at first. But soon thereafter his church exploded with signs and wonders, healings and miracles - and new music to go along with it - of which the world is still embracing. 

Webster asks a couple of wonderful questions - questions which I'd like to pass onto you:

What has God allowed in my life to remind me of my weakness? (p.95)

What has God placed in our lives [in our community life at St. David's, for example] to remind us of our weaknesses and Christ's power? (p.97)