OPERATING IN OUR STRENGTHS

On Sunday my message was about dealing with conflict, with an emphasis on marital conflict.  One thing that was dealt with was the mistake couples make when they compare their strengths to their spouse’s weaknesses.  All of us have weaknesses and healthy relationships remain strong when we overlook the weaknesses and major on the strengths.  Let’s look at some of the dynamics of our strengths:

1)     All of us have a God-ordained destiny and are equipped with a set of strengths.  God didn’t create us in a group setting and then say, “I have a destiny for this group”.  This may be true of a family, congregation or nation for a specific task but in that group each individual has their own set of strengths. 

2)    If we are operating in our weaknesses then even our strengths can work against us. 

3)    We tend to operate in our weaknesses because we try to live up to expectations never intended for us.  Wrong expectations can be transferred onto us by our culture, family, peers or even ourselves.

4)    Sometimes the machinery has to break down before we can realize what is happening.  It is then time to reset.

·      All of us are a collection of strengths and weaknesses.  If we are operating in the realm of our weaknesses the chances are we are heading for a burnout.  One of the ways to identify your weaknesses is by placing a line down the middle of a piece of paper.  On one side list the things that drain you, on the other side the things that energize you.  For the introvert, going to a crowded social function where conversation and interaction are required for a prolonged amount of time is draining.  For the extrovert it is the opposite.   They leave the function energized and fulfilled.

·      One of the great examples in the Bible of someone who made the shift from operating in their weaknesses to operating in their strengths is Peter. 

·      In Mark 1, Jesus finds Peter fishing.  Jesus said to him, “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.”  He and his companions immediately left their nets and followed Him.  When Jesus met Peter his given name was “Simon”.  His name means, “to listen carefully and process”.  If there was anything that Peter was weak at it was listening carefully and processing what he heard.  This was evident in Luke 9 when on the Mt. of Tranfiguration when Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus.  Peter blurted out, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”, not knowing what he said.  The Knox translation says, “but he spoke at random”.  God rebukes Peter and says, “This is My beloved Son.  Hear Him!”  In Luke 5 Jesus tells Peter to let down his nets (plural) for a catch.  Peter answers Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless, at Your word, I will let down the net” (singular).    And in Mark 8 Jesus lets Peter know that it is God’s will for Him to go to Jerusalem where He will fulfill Scripture by submitting to the authorities and laying down His life.  There are many other examples of Peter speaking before he thought things through.

·      Thankfully the time Peter spent with Jesus helped bring a transformation to his life.  It was in Mark 8 that Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter.  Peter means “rock”.  Jesus patiently worked with Peter, despite his weaknesses.  He saw in him steadfastness, perseverance, and tenacity.  He saw his strengths and gave him a name that exemplified what Peter was best at.   There are five things that Jesus revealed about our strengths in His dealings with Peter.

1)     Jesus didn’t try and change Peter’s personality.  If you look at Peter’s ministry life that began on the Day of Pentecost you’ll see that it was his steadfastness, perseverance, and tenacity that helped him bear much fruit for God’s Kingdom.

2)    Jesus saw something in Peter that Peter didn’t see in himself.  Jesus wisely led Peter into situations that would reveal to him the importance of identifying his strengths and focusing on them.  It became glaringly clear to Peter that trying to be “Simon” didn’t work, it always caused him to experience failure.  When he used his strengths his life aligned with God’s will which brought good results.

3)    Peter ultimately lived our everything God said about him.  In the book of Acts and in the rest of the New Testament Peter is no longer giving in to acting and speaking before he thought.   Peter became a rock.  He never became a great listener and contemplator but he performed many miracles and healings and wrote God-inspired verses in the New Testament that have helped make disciples of millions of believers throughout the ages.   

God has given all of us a set of strengths.  They work in harmony with our giftings, call, and anointing.   It is great gain for us to identify these strengths and focus on them.   It is the enemy who will exploit our weaknesses and try to use them against us.    When we are aware of this it will help us to have victory in every area of our lives and become those who are fruitful for God’s Kingdom on the earth.