1Corinthians 12 is a favorite Scripture passage of mine. In it Paul talks about the spiritual gifts. “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.” (1Corinthians 12:4-7 NKJV)
Paul goes on to describe the variety of gifts–preaching, teaching, healing, tongues, prophecy, interpretation, administration…those gifts which help our relationship with God and build up the kingdom of God.
One day I was sitting in church and heard the familiar reading from 2Corinthians 12: “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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2Corinthians12:9 NIV)
It struck me that 1Corinthians 12 and 2Corinthians 12 are like bookends. In 1Corinthians 12 God uses our gifts and our strengths. In 2Corinthians 12, God uses our weaknesses. I guess God can use whatever we have or don’t have for the building up of the kingdom and for drawing us closer to Him.
I call praying in color my 2Corinthians 12 prayer form, because it came to me through my weaknesses and through all of the things I can’t do. I can’t draw, focus, sit still, pay attention,or find words for my prayers. But now I have a way to pray that accommodates all of those weaknesses. I am very grateful. Thanks be to God!
Drawing: Sybil MacBeth–from Examples page of www.prayingincolor.com
I don’t usually comment on blogs but had to on yours. You have a very distinctive writing style. I really enjoy sites about religious topics, they give me a lot to think about. I don’t have time to read all of the articles here right now, I found this site when looking for something else on beliefnet.com, but I’ve bookmarked your homepage and will visit again soon to see the latest writings. I have a web site with daily Bible readings on it. Please bookmark it - it as at http://www.GotTB.com. Thanks again and God’s Peace!
Hi Sara,
Thanks for writing and for your website. God’s Peace to you as well. Sybil