A week or so ago, the Evident Grace leadership team met for our annual New Year’s dinner. This is our yearly time to celebrate all that God has done in our lives and at the church, while also getting some much-needed fun time with each other.
After dinner and dessert, Amy and I gathered everyone together. We had taken the time to write out ICNU cards for each person there. An ICNU is when you encourage people by telling them, “I see in you _______.” It’s an opportunity to affirm and encourage people about what you see in their lives or what you see God doing in their lives. This initiative comes from author Dave Ferguson and his book “Hero Maker”. Learn more about both at http://www.heromakerbook.org/.
After that, we put names in a basket, and everyone drew one. Then, anonymously, we wrote out ICNU’s. We then gave them to each person, and they read theirs out loud. It was a powerful time where people read what others saw in them.
I was admittedly curious as to what someone would say about me. I opened the card and read, “Gordon, I see in a leader growing in the knowledge of his weakness and his need to depend on the church.”
My first reaction? Disappointment. I wanted to be seen as strong, and faithful, or maybe even…Godly. I wasn’t ready for, “growing in knowledge of my weakness.” But upon reflection, isn’t that we are called to do? Doesn’t the Bible say…
2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
I realized that pride had snuck in, wishing they said something different. Ultimately, I’m thankful for this. Of course, I want to grow to be strong, but if others see God in my life in this way, I can trust that God is faithfully pouring our His sufficient grace to me.
So, don’t despise the knowledge of your weakness. Instead, thank God for its recognition, and trust His grace.
If you would like to pursue this thought more, I recorded a podcast about it. You can find the link to your favorite podcast platform to listen to it at:
Gordon Duncan
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