A Prayer for Bringing Our Small Limitations to Jesus
By Chelsey DeMatteis
Bible Reading:
“And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’” - 1 Corinthians 1:30-31
Read or Listen Below:
As a mom, I’m often reminded of my limitations. There is only so much of me to go around. There are so many hours in a day that I can accomplish what needs to be done for my home and family. The list goes on and on. Yet, when I get still before Jesus, I’m encouraged that these so-called “limitations” are beautiful boundaries God has given me. These areas of my life draw me back to His heart and throne of grace as I seek His face.
If I was limitless, why would I need a relationship with the Creator of all things? I wouldn’t need strength, I wouldn’t need help, I wouldn’t need a Savior. By the grace of God, our Heavenly Father chose to send His son to bridge the gap. He sent His son first and foremost to replace our sins, but He also sent Jesus to bless us by meeting us in our weakness. We see this throughout the Bible. When the people of God look as if they will be consumed, God saves them. We see this with Noah and the Ark; we witness this through the prayer of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20, and we see it as the walls come tumbling down at the battle of Jericho. Again and again, God proves Himself faithful in weakness.
When Paul wrote his two letters to the church in Corinth, he admonished and enlightened believers to boast in Christ alone and rejoice in the limits God had put on them, which showed His great power within us.
Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 with me, “For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
This portion of scripture split me wide open earlier this year. God chose what is low and despised in the world, meaning people and places with limitations, and used them to put His glory on display. Think about what could shift in your life if you surrendered the areas where you felt weak and rested in Christ for your strength. So much would change. Both on the inside and the outside.
Your heart would become more dependent on the Lord and more willing to trust that He will give you what you need to make it through the road ahead of you. When you trust and see God’s faithfulness, an overflow effect happens. You begin sharing with those around you what He has done; He takes your weakness and strengthens His name.
Let’s Pray:
Father, thank you for taking the areas of my life where I feel weak and using them to reveal your strength. I’m blessed beyond measure to serve a God who desires to use me for the Kingdom in ways I’d never imagined were possible. Father, if I’m withholding any weaknesses and gripping them with pride to “prove something,” help me release these things to you. As I hand them over, I pray to sense your peace and be washed over with the reminder that your power is perfect in my weakness. You are a good and faithful Father; help me be bold with the gifts you gave me and humble enough to come to you when I need help. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Chelsey is the voice behind the Living with Less Podcast and author of the 52-week devotional More of Him, Less of Me: Living a Christ-centered Life in a Me-centered World. She writes devotions for Lifeway Women's Journey Magazine, Crosswalk.com, and iBelieve.com. She also writes Bible reading plans for the YouVersion Bible App. Chelsey lives in Ohio with her husband and two children. You can connect with her on Instagram @chelseydematteis and at her website ChelseyDeMatteis.com.
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