Onion Skin Faith

“I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.  My message and preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power” 1 Co 2:4-5.

Have you ever been presented with a situation which would require you to stretch yourself ‘onion skin thin’ in an effort to serve another in need?  Paul certainly did when he dealt with the Corinthians of the early church.  We can determine from this passage that he didn’t feel up for the job, and he was scared to the point of shaking.  But Paul knew something that we must consider when walking out a tough journey.  Paul knew that when he relied on his own abilities he would miss out on the power of God.  He understood well that any task for which he was called would be met with the power of God’s Spirit to accomplish that task.  He believed his own message of the power of the gospel as providing our lack for everything. God’s power neither weakens nor changes through time.  It is the same power that was exerted into the lifeless body of Jesus, raising Him from the dead.  It is the same power that got my family through the terminal illnesses of our loved ones.  It is the same power that got me and Bruce through times with no work.  It is the same power who raised my daughter back to life after drug addiction.  It is the same power that will fulfill good and perfect promises to me up ahead.

Many of us face these trembling times this morning as we look up ahead to the tasks for which we are called.  What will we do?  Will we focus on our weaknesses?  Will we elevate fear over faith?  Or will we slip on the garment of the Spirit’s power and walk in confidence through our situation?  The garment of the Spirit offers so much more than the frailty of onion skin faith.  We are called to a life of courage as we make our way to ‘the city not made by human hands.’ (2 Co 5:1) Those watching our walk are so desperate for a demonstration of a mighty power.  ‘What people are longing for is to meet someone with abiding spiritual wisdom and knowledge about what truly matters.  Someone to tell them the wisdom of God that rescues us from loneliness, satiates our longings, obliterates the strongholds that keeps us addicted, and washes our consciences clean!  This secret wisdom is cultivated by time in God’s word.  It’s quickened in prayer.  It’s deepened by fellowship with other believers.  It’s revealed in greater degrees when we’re obedient.  You can’t buy the secret things of God, but He’s pleased to give them to the ones who seek Him.’ All Things New, Kelly Minter, p. 167.

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart.” Jeremiah 21:13