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Do you like the reflection that stares back at you in the mirror?  Do you have issues with the man or woman in the mirror?  Understanding our weaknesses will free us from doubt, fear and intimidation.  Jeremiah Chapter one reads as follows.  “¹ The Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said, ² “Go down to the potter’s shop, and I will speak to you there.” ³ So I did as he told me and found the potter working at his wheel. ⁴ But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over. ⁵ Then the Lord gave me this message: ⁶ “O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand.”  It says that the potter continued to work on the clay he did not give up.  This is a revelation of how God will never give up on us.  He will not give up, but continue to work with you.  In the King James Version it states that the clay was marred.  The word marred is the Hebrew word shachath, which means corrupt, spoil or ruin.  We are not perfect, but God is willing to work with us and mould us into a beautiful person.

I am glad that the potter did not through away the clay even though there was evidence of weaknesses.  God will give you a makeover but you have to be willing.  The bible tells us that he who began a good work will be faithful to compete it.  God will complete what he has started, but the clay has to be flexible for the transformation.  Every one of us has weaknesses no one is without flaws.  It does not matter how we act or look we must recognize that we all have weaknesses.  How do we proceed with our weaknesses, we proceed by first acknowledging that we all have weaknesses.  Acknowledgement is always the first step to recovery.  Denial will always lead us astray and prevent us from recovery.  We must note that there are all types of weaknesses like physical, emotional, relational, financial, intellectual and even fashion weaknesses.  You might be vertically challenge and unable to make the basketball team.  The real issue is not do I have weaknesses, but what am I going to do about my weaknesses.  We usually defend our weakness or we deny them.  In society we try to cover our weaknesses we don’t like them exposed and we are willing to make excuses and blame others.  We try to live up to the expectations of others or try to maintain a certain reputation.  Sometimes we create a parade around our weaknesses and try to confuse and distract everybody.  So stop dramatizing and trying to cover your weaknesses, because your frailties will become a motivational resource for others to succeed.  Jesus made himself lower that the angels and clothe himself in frail humanity.  The disciples were not impressed when Jesus walked through the walls after resurrection, but when he showed them his wounds and scars.  Thomas wanted to see and feel his nail scarred hands.  The bible tells us that we have overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony.  People will always brag about their accolades, but never their weaknesses.   Behind every successful story is failure and struggles, but the key to success is to learn from our failures and allow them to be the launching pad for your future. 

Jesus went through all types of trials and struggles, but part of his success was to die on the cross.  The bible tells us before the foundation of the world the lamb was slain.  Before God created the world it was already predetermined that Jesus would die on the cross for the remission on sin. We would not be able to relate to Jesus if he did not leave his throne room in heaven.  Due to his departure and incarnation we are able to appreciate him and he is able to relate to us in a greater way.  Hebrews 4:15 tells us “¹⁵For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” There are weaknesses that we could change, but I am referring to the weaknesses that we inherit and cannot change.  Maybe there are weaknesses in your life that you have inherited or you are in circumstances that have created a weaken environment.   Most women would cover and hide their moles with makeup, but Marylyn Monroe came along and moles became cute and adorable.  Michael Jordan shaved his head, because he was going bald and everyone started to shave their head.  Michael created a new image and became a basketball icon and legend.  God wants to work through our weaknesses and he wants to work in spite of our weaknesses.  Jesus was crucified naked on the cross for us he did not clothe himself in fine linen and the crown he wore was a crown of thorns.  Weaknesses and failure sometimes become the greatest schoolmasters of our lives.    

Why did God choose Moses to deliver his people when he was a shepherd instead of a Prince or Pharaoh.  Moses could have easily inherited the leadership role as pharaoh and then freed the Israelites.  God chooses to do things his way sometimes it might appear to be the hardest way, but it always requires sacrifice and dedication.  Isaiah 56:8 says that “My thoughts are not yours and my ways are not yours”.  God does things his way, which will bring him glory and honour.  If Moses delivered the Israelites as a Prince or Pharaoh we would miss out on all those great miracles and sermons.  God will use the foolish and weak things to confound the wise.  Jesus came as an ordinary man he did not select a 6’4” body with blue eyes and the built of Arnold Swarcheneggar.  Jesus operated under the anointing of the Holy Spirit and the glory was very radiant in his life.  He would say follow me and the disciples would be compelled to follow him due to the persuasive anointing upon him.  God purposely worked through weak people in the bible, because it shows his power.  We are impressed with strength, but God is not, we like to show off our arms and our fantastic physiques.  If someone weak does something spectacular we will always argued that someone helped him.  In the ministry of weak people we are able to recognize the true power that works through us.  It’s not by our own efforts or power, but by the Spirit of the Lord that we are able to achieve these great things.