Strength Is Subjective
Strength is very subjective.
Where some see something or someone as strong another may view the same situation or person as weak. For example, the other day, I was carrying the dog food in from the garage to refill our container in the kitchen and Laura whistled and shouted,
"Woo hoo! Look at my strong, sexy man!"(1)
Although I graciously accepted the compliment I also have a pretty firm grip on reality and know that none of my friends would define me as strong. I don't think I've ever been complimented on my muscles by anyone except my wife now that I think about it. I'm not the buffest guy in the world. It's all perspective I guess.
This subjective strength happens in more places than just my kitchen. I was watching "I Love Money"(2) on VH1 the other day and there was this guy who kept bragging about all the women he had slept with. He was seen as the stud of the house. The "strong" one. The one to be admired and honored. It's all subjective I guess.
One of my best friends is married with a bunch of kids. His family and life is happy and full of life but it didn't always use to be that way. Years ago, I held his hand in his apartment as we both cried and prayed for some sort of hope. Everything was on the verge of disaster. Everything had gone wrong. I honestly didn't think his relationship was going to make it. But he didn't quit. He didn't give up. He didn't find some excuse and leave. He kept praying, kept trying, kept working and today his life is one of most beautiful examples of God's grace that I have ever seen. He is one of the strongest men I know.
Strength was subjective 2,000 years ago as well.
I've been studying Jesus' last week on Earth and this subjective strength seems to emerge over and over again. As he sat in the garden of Gethsemane, I read how Jesus prayed so anxiously that drops of blood ran down his face.(3) He was alone, in anguish over the inevitable end, and thinking of quiting. Jesus looks so weak in that moment. I can't really put it any other way. I get nervous just reading that story. It makes me feel uncomfortable. It's like watching an American Idol contestant your cheering for forget their lyrics.
As I've surveyed the other major world religions you don't see their leaders revealing the kind of weakness that Jesus did. Muhammad conquered cities, won battles, and married rich. One of the more prevalent Hindu gods, Shiva, looks kinda frightening. She holds a trident and is known as the destroyer. Where most religions reveal a impressive and powerful strength, Jesus offers a cross.
Perhaps strength is subjective. Maybe Jesus' definition is different from ours. We step on others to get ahead, buy what we can't afford, and brag about our net worth. Jesus quietly asks us to think of others first, serve rather than be served, and give even when it doesn't make sense. A definition of strength flickers in front of us every night when we sit on the couch. Another interpretation is hidden in the greatest story ever told and gently invites us in.
What if strength is not in power, possessions, and pleasure, but in humility, a honorable character, and healthy relationships? What if we've somehow lost site of the Creators idea of strength? What if we risked looking weak in this world and ended up pleasing God? What if, this week, I asked God his opinion about strength? Would that change how I lived, what I bought, and how I thought? Would it alter my arguments, conversations, and competitions?
Strength is indeed subjective and this week I'm going to take God's perspective.
1. It may sound kinda goofy but I sure love when she surprises me. I can't even begin expressing to you how much joy wells up in my heart when she does stuff like that. She makes me feel whole, worthy, and powerful. She makes me feel like a man. Thank you so much Laura for caring about my needs.
2. Don't judge me.
3. Luke 22:44
Strength is very subjective.
Where some see something or someone as strong another may view the same situation or person as weak. For example, the other day, I was carrying the dog food in from the garage to refill our container in the kitchen and Laura whistled and shouted,
"Woo hoo! Look at my strong, sexy man!"(1)
Although I graciously accepted the compliment I also have a pretty firm grip on reality and know that none of my friends would define me as strong. I don't think I've ever been complimented on my muscles by anyone except my wife now that I think about it. I'm not the buffest guy in the world. It's all perspective I guess.
This subjective strength happens in more places than just my kitchen. I was watching "I Love Money"(2) on VH1 the other day and there was this guy who kept bragging about all the women he had slept with. He was seen as the stud of the house. The "strong" one. The one to be admired and honored. It's all subjective I guess.
One of my best friends is married with a bunch of kids. His family and life is happy and full of life but it didn't always use to be that way. Years ago, I held his hand in his apartment as we both cried and prayed for some sort of hope. Everything was on the verge of disaster. Everything had gone wrong. I honestly didn't think his relationship was going to make it. But he didn't quit. He didn't give up. He didn't find some excuse and leave. He kept praying, kept trying, kept working and today his life is one of most beautiful examples of God's grace that I have ever seen. He is one of the strongest men I know.
Strength was subjective 2,000 years ago as well.
I've been studying Jesus' last week on Earth and this subjective strength seems to emerge over and over again. As he sat in the garden of Gethsemane, I read how Jesus prayed so anxiously that drops of blood ran down his face.(3) He was alone, in anguish over the inevitable end, and thinking of quiting. Jesus looks so weak in that moment. I can't really put it any other way. I get nervous just reading that story. It makes me feel uncomfortable. It's like watching an American Idol contestant your cheering for forget their lyrics.
As I've surveyed the other major world religions you don't see their leaders revealing the kind of weakness that Jesus did. Muhammad conquered cities, won battles, and married rich. One of the more prevalent Hindu gods, Shiva, looks kinda frightening. She holds a trident and is known as the destroyer. Where most religions reveal a impressive and powerful strength, Jesus offers a cross.
Perhaps strength is subjective. Maybe Jesus' definition is different from ours. We step on others to get ahead, buy what we can't afford, and brag about our net worth. Jesus quietly asks us to think of others first, serve rather than be served, and give even when it doesn't make sense. A definition of strength flickers in front of us every night when we sit on the couch. Another interpretation is hidden in the greatest story ever told and gently invites us in.
What if strength is not in power, possessions, and pleasure, but in humility, a honorable character, and healthy relationships? What if we've somehow lost site of the Creators idea of strength? What if we risked looking weak in this world and ended up pleasing God? What if, this week, I asked God his opinion about strength? Would that change how I lived, what I bought, and how I thought? Would it alter my arguments, conversations, and competitions?
Strength is indeed subjective and this week I'm going to take God's perspective.
1. It may sound kinda goofy but I sure love when she surprises me. I can't even begin expressing to you how much joy wells up in my heart when she does stuff like that. She makes me feel whole, worthy, and powerful. She makes me feel like a man. Thank you so much Laura for caring about my needs.
2. Don't judge me.
3. Luke 22:44
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