Momentum for Monday, August 2nd 2021

“Therefore I delight in my weaknesses…” (2 Cor 12:10)

As most of you know, my workout of choice is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ for short). It’s also a hobby and my stress relief. For those who have no understanding of it, it is a martial art that involves no striking (unlike Karate). Instead, it is submission grappling (think self-defense, strangle techniques, and joint locks mixed with wrestling- you can always Google to dispel the confusion).

When people first begin as white belts, they are known to be quite spastic, trying to use their strength constantly to force a position and submit their partner. Doing this will not only hurt the people you train with, but it can also cause injury to yourself. However, the more you progress in BJJ, the better you become at controlling positions using less energy and strength. The more you know and understand the art of BJJ, the less you have to depend on physical force.

BJJ wasn’t around during the time of the New Testament era, but I think Paul would possibly have been a good student of it if it did exist then. He understood that strength isn’t the definition of true power. The absence of strength to Paul didn’t intimidate him or make him insecure, but instead gave him a greater confidence.

As a child of God, this can also be our stance. The more I know Christ, the more confident I become in his capability instead of my own. As a human, I lack and have many insecurities, but knowing this doesn’t threaten or put me in check mate. It only gives Christ a greater opportunity to work on my behalf.

I don’t know if you’re a white belt or a seasoned black belt in your walk with God. Nor do I know what make you weak or powerless, but you don’t need to always have strength. Stop panicking and spazzing to force things. Instead, master learning how to lean into the power of God in you. There’s nothing that can conquer you when you partner with the Holy Spirit.

“But that’s not all! Even in times of trouble we have a joyful confidence, knowing that our pressures[a] will develop in us patient endurance.”

(Romans 5:3)