Counsels on Church Life

Counsel #3 — Strength In Weakness

Picture: Counsel #3 — Strength In Weakness CCL 5.1

Instead of being a weakness, our lack of experience and skill is often a strength that God can use. When we know exactly how things are supposed to happen, sometimes it’s easy to depend on ourselves to solve our problems without asking God about the details, but this limits our faith. When Goliath challenged God’s people for 40 days to fight him, the experienced soldiers believed they had no chance. But David saw things differently. He didn’t focus on his own abilities. Instead, he questioned why no one had taken action. Sometimes, our lack of experience gives us more space to believe that God can use us anyway. CCL 5.2

"And when the Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him; for he was only a youth, ruddy and good-looking." 1 Samuel 17:42 CCL 5.3

“[Satan] well knows that there is no other class that can do as much good as young men and young women who are consecrated to God. The youth, if right, could sway a mighty influence. Preachers, or laymen advanced in years, cannot have one half the influence upon the young that the youth, devoted to God, can have upon their associates.” Ellen White in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 511.1 CCL 5.4

Reflect: When people look at you and think about the impact you have or what you can achieve, what do you think they see? What would you like them to see instead? If there’s a difference between the two, what can you do to change that?^[3] CCL 5.5