Gathering Strength in God

<p>Grainger McKoy is an artist who studies and sculpts birds, capturing their grace, vulnerability, and power. One of the pieces is titled <em>Recovery.</em> It shows the single right wing of a pintail duck, stretched high in a vertical position. Below, a plaque describes the bird&rsquo;s recovery stroke as &ldquo;the moment of the bird&rsquo;s greatest weakness in flight, yet also the moment when it gathers strength for the journey ahead.&rdquo; Grainger includes this verse: &ldquo;My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness&rdquo; (2 Corinthians 12:9).</p> <p>The apostle Paul wrote these words to the church at Corinth. Enduring a season when he was overwhelmed with personal struggle, Paul begged God to remove what he described as a &ldquo;thorn in the flesh&rdquo; (2 Corinthians 12:7). His affliction might have been a physical ailment or spiritual opposition. Like Jesus in the Garden the night before His crucifixion (Luke 22:39&ndash;44), Paul repeatedly asked God to remove his suffering. The Holy Spirit responded by assuring Paul that He would provide the strength needed. Paul learned, &ldquo;When I am weak, then I am strong&rdquo; (2 Corinthians 12:10).</p> <p>Oh, the thorns we experience in this life! Like a bird gathering its strength for the journey ahead, we can gather up God&rsquo;s strength for what we are facing. In His strength, we find our own.</p>