2 Corinthians 12:2-10 (NRSV)
Read 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 on biblegateway.com
Verse 2I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. Verse 3And I know that such a person-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows- Verse 4was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. Verse 5On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. Verse 6But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, Verse 7even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Verse 8Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, Verse 9but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Verse 10Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.
Devotion
This is one of those hard biblical texts for many Christians, especially Lutherans. One who was caught up to the third heaven? Really, now? A person who was caught up into Paradise? We perhaps shiver with discomfort and step back into our comfortable settings, beyond the reach of such dangerous-sounding mysteries. That's not our faith, thank you very much.
But this is our Bible. So what are we to make of such boldness? At our church's Vacation Bible School, we encouraged kids to watch for "God Sightings"—someone going out of their way to help another, a beautiful moment in creation, a spontaneous prayer. All good ways in which God shows up in our lives. But I couldn't help but wonder: what are the more mysterious moments where God has showed up for us in a big way? And what might happen if we, too, were bold enough to boast about those?
Prayer
Holy Spirit, your power in my life is beyond my comprehension. But sometimes, I shy away from it. Open my heart. Calm my fears. Move powerfully in me, Sweet Spirit, and make me bold to speak. Amen.