Work on Your Weakness

“One thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 3:13-14

My yard was a patchwork of good and bad areas of grass with a couple of atrocious patches thrown in for bad measure. To transform it into something better, in a place that was mostly dirt where grass was a rarity, i.e. an “atrocious” patch, I spent some money on “black dirt” and topsoil, rented an “industrial strength” roto-tiller, invested the time and refashioned this plot of soil into a fertile bed of loose dirt. I followed that by spreading rebel fescue seed, then straw, and kept it watered for weeks. The result? The (formerly) worst portion of my yard looks just like the header image for this article. That is because the header image for this article is a picture of the (formerly) worst portion of my yard.

Something that was meager at its very best has been transformed into something beautiful. The entire yard has moved up several notches in the “Yard of the Month” competition because of the transformation of this one (formerly sad) plot of ground. It’s hard now to even visualize how bad it used to look. You might say I’ve forgotten what lies behind and am reaching forward to the goal. And it’s all because I worked to make the worst part of my yard become equal to, or surpass, the rest of my yard.

It won’t be many years for any of us who are now reading this before the time comes that neither lawns nor any horticultural endeavor will matter at all. Not for anyone. But for everyone, eternal souls will be the top priority when we have passed from this physical life. At Trying to Walk, the emphasis is not on grass or yards. We emphasize God, God’s word, and God’s people.

I have never met a dedicated Christian who was satisfied that they were at the highest level of Christian living that they needed to reach. I don’t think such a person exists. Even the apostle Paul, just before the words that introduce this article, wrote in Phil. 3:11-13, “Not that I have already obtained or have already become perfect . . . Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of [the prize] yet:” We should always be striving to become better, just as Paul did.

I made my yard better by choosing the weakest part of it and dedicating myself to bringing that area up to par. We can make our Christian lives better in the same way. So here is a challenge to start your new year. Choose a weakness in your Christian life that needs to be improved. Choosing your weakest area would be ideal. Imagine how much better your overall Christian life will be when what is now your biggest weakness becomes a strength.

This approach has the approval of Jesus. In Mark 10:17-27, a man asks Jesus what he must do to obtain eternal life. In Matthew’s account we learn that the man was young, and in Luke’s account that he was a ruler, and from all three accounts that he was wealthy. Only Mark’s account says Jesus “looked” on him and “loved” him. That is very touching to me. The Greek words imply that Jesus considered deeply (looked on) the individual that asked of Him and cared very deeply (agape love) about him as well.

Jesus knew what this man’s greatest weakness was and gave his answer based on that. Why? Because if he could overcome and control his greatest weakness he could possibly be on a glide path to eternal life. In essence, Jesus said, “You’re a good man, but your love of worldly possessions is going to be your downfall. Work on this weakness and you’ll be fit for the kingdom of Heaven.” The words of the Bible imply that he didn’t work on his weakness and therefore won’t obtain eternal life.

Jesus has an encounter in Luke 19:1-10 with Zacchaeus. In this familiar story, Zacchaeus has made a valiant attempt to see Jesus who calls out to Zacchaeus as he passes by. Jesus tells Zacchaeus that he, Jesus, will be staying at Zacchaeus’ house. Zacchaeus is thrilled with the news and announces to Jesus that he, Zacchaeus is going to work on his greatest weakness.

As a tax collector, there is little doubt, although it is not stated in the text, that Zacchaeus has been profiting by cheating people and collecting more taxes than are owed. Zacchaeus knows that this is a great weakness and he confesses and shows repentance. “I [will] give half my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will pay back four fold.” Jesus didn’t have to say a word. Zacchaeus knew his weakness and attacked it head on. In both of these examples, either Jesus brings up the person’s greatest weakness, or Jesus’ presence provokes mention of the greatest weakness. Jesus approves of this approach.

What is your weakness? Is it the love of money and amassing wealth to whatever extent you’re able? Is it establishing a position of power in whatever circle of influence you’re able to do so? Do you wish to ensure that everybody notices you and how important you are? Do you have trouble with moral sins such as adultery, or stealing, alcohol or drugs, or pornography? Do you treat others with a lack of love and compassion? Do you have no time for others and their problems? Or is your biggest weakness lack of love for God? Are you going through the motions so you look good to others, but you have no zeal in your service to God? Is it something that seems outwardly to be much milder than what is listed in this paragraph, but is just as likely to keep you from obtaining eternal life?

Obviously those are just some general ideas to spur thought. There are many particular sins/weaknesses and more broad categories than I have listed here. I’m certain if you’ll spend some time in introspection, and probably even without it, you know what your biggest problem is in following God.

It is not the point of this article to give you a step by step process to follow in overcoming whatever your weakness is. In a way that is the point of the entire Trying to Walk effort. As we go from week to week many topics and ideas related to Christian growth and bettering ourselves in the eyes of God will appear and be of help. It’s an ongoing process that you shouldn’t expect to accomplish in one day, or one week, or even one month.

In fact, as stated earlier, it is most likely that we will never reach the ideal position. God does not expect any of us to be perfect outside of His righteousness. He expects us to try to be perfect with every fiber of our being. We can all do that.

So what is your greatest weakness? You need to take it on and defeat it. Don’t be like the rich young ruler. Don’t just walk away sorrowfully. Don’t rationalize, and don’t procrastinate. Be Zacchaeus. Don’t you know how hard it must have been for Zacchaeus to make that commitment to Jesus? He was in essence giving up his lifestyle to follow Christ. He was “mak[ing] of [his] body a living sacrifice,” Romans 12:1. He was saying, “It is no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me,” Galatians 2:20-21.

That is how you turn that atrocious dirt patch in your soul into beautiful grass.