STRENGTH ON A SWING
Yolanda Lindsay
Today’s Scripture: “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10, ESV
Theme: In the upside-down kingdom of God, we can be content through weakness, even finding strength because of it.
A SWING I HADN’T TOUCHED IN DECADES
A few weeks ago, my family spent the afternoon at a local park. At one point, someone asked me, “Why don’t you get on the swing?” I laughed. Then I realized…I hadn’t been on a swing since 1996. Think about that for a minute. Nearly thirty years had passed since I had done something most children never think twice about. Life got busy. Then my health declined. Eventually, something as simple as walking across a parking lot became exhausting, much less pumping my legs on a playground swing. So, I sat down. I pushed off. And suddenly I was swinging through the air, laughing like a kid again. Not because I was doing something extraordinary, but because I was doing something ordinary that I hadn’t been able to do in years.
GOD’S STRENGTH LOOKS DIFFERENT
One of my favorite moments that afternoon had nothing to do with me. My daughter, Denae (age 21) was trying to help my granddaughter Paisley (age 11 months) go down the slide, and Denae was absolutely terrified! I laughed so hard I cried. The harder she tried to be brave, the funnier it became.
It reminded me of one of the sweetest lessons from The Unbreakable Boy. Throughout the film, Scott, Austin's father, is often overwhelmed by fear, stress, and trying to control every situation. Yet Austin has an incredible ability to laugh, notice the good, and help others do the same. Austin’s joyful outlook doesn’t erase life’s difficulties; it changes the atmosphere, reminding his family that sometimes the greatest gift God gives us is the ability to laugh, even in the middle of life’s messes.
Strength doesn’t always look impressive. Sometimes it looks like showing up, laughing together, and embracing life’s imperfect moments. God often does His best work in places where we least expect it. Paul understood that. Instead of asking God to remove every weakness, he learned to see weakness as the very place where Christ’s strength shines the brightest.
THE UPSIDE-DOWN KINGDOM
Our world celebrates independence, success, and having it all together. God celebrates dependence. The world says weakness is something to hide. God says weakness is often where His power is most visible. That afternoon at the park reminded me that strength isn’t always found in doing something remarkable. Sometimes it’s found in receiving simple gifts with gratitude, laughing until your stomach hurts, and recognizing that every ordinary moment is a gift from God. When we stop trying to prove how strong we are, we leave room for God to show just how strong He is.
Make It Personal: Where have you been trying to hide your weaknesses? Is there an area of your life where you’ve been afraid to admit you need God’s help? Today, surrender that weakness to Him. The place you feel least competent may become the very place where His strength is displayed most clearly.
Pray: Father, thank You that I don’t have to be strong all the time because You are always strong on my behalf. Help me stop viewing my weaknesses as obstacles and begin seeing them as opportunities for Your power to be revealed. Teach me to depend on You more each day and to trust that Your strength is always enough. Thank You for the simple joys that remind me of Your goodness and for the laughter that refreshes my soul. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Read: 2 Corinthians 12:9, Isaiah 40:29–31, Philippians 4:13
Weekly Memory Verse: “Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9, NLT