Growing Up in Jesus 在耶稣里成长
Dexu Xia
My power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9
As a child, I viewed grown-ups as wise and incapable of failure. They always know what to do, I’d think. One day, when I’m grown up, I’ll always know what to do too. Well, “one day” came many years ago, and all it has taught me is that, many times, I still don’t know what to do. Whether it’s illness in the family, problems at work, or conflict in a relationship, such times have wrested all delusions of personal control and strength, simply leaving me one option—to close my eyes and whisper, “Lord, help. I don’t know what to do.”
The apostle Paul understood this feeling of helplessness. The “thorn” in his life, which may have been a physical ailment, caused him much frustration and pain. It was through this thorn, however, that Paul experienced God’s love, promises, and blessings as sufficient for him to endure and overcome his difficulties (2 Corinthians 12:9). He learned that personal weakness and helplessness don’t mean defeat. When surrendered to God in trust, they become tools for Him to work in and through these circumstances (vv. 9−10).
Our being a grown-up doesn’t mean we’re all-knowing. Sure, we grow wiser with age, but ultimately our weaknesses often reveal how truly powerless we are. Our true power is in Christ: “For when I am weak, then I am strong” (v. 10). Truly “growing up” means knowing, trusting, and obeying the power that comes when we realize we need God’s help.
By: Karen Huang
What trials make you realize your own helplessness? How can you obey God’s leading?
Heavenly Father, thank You for being my help and strength.
我的能力是在人的软弱上显得完全。—哥林多后书12章9节
小时候，我总以为大人很有智慧而且不会失败。我一直认为，大人总是知道该怎么办，当我长大的那一天，我也会知道该怎么做。多年前，“那一天”就已经到了，但在长大成人的年日里，我清楚知道，很多时候我仍不知该怎么办。无论是家人生病，工作上的问题，或是人际关系中的冲突，在这样的时刻，我都不敢妄想靠自己的能力处理问题，我只有一个选择，就是闭上眼睛，轻声地说：“主啊，请帮助我，我真不知道该怎么办。”
使徒保罗深知这种无助的感受，他生命中的“刺”（可能是身体上的病痛）带给他极大的挫折和痛苦。然而，这根刺却让保罗经历了上帝的爱、应许和赐福，这也使他能够忍耐并克服困难（哥林多后书12章9节）。他领悟到个人的软弱和无助，并不意味着失败。当我们凭信心将这些软弱交托给上帝时，它们能在各种困境中成为上帝使用的工具（9-10节）。
长大并不代表无所不知。当然，我们会随着年龄增长而愈发有智慧，但最终我们的软弱往往会显露我们的无能为力。你我真正的力量是在基督里：“因我什么时候软弱，什么时候就刚强了！”（10节）当我们意识到自己需要上帝的帮助时，能够认识、信靠并顺服上帝的大能，这样才是真正的“长大”。
作者： 黃嘉仁
什么试炼让你意识到自己根本就束手无策？
你要如何顺服上帝的带领？
天父，感谢祢成为我的帮助和力量。