Are you familiar with the character of “Rocky?” No, not Rocky Balboa who overcame the odds to become a winning prizefight. I’m talking about Rocket J. Squirrel of “Rocky & Bullwinkle” fame. Sure, Sylvester was looking pretty buff as we cheered him on; what’s not to love, right? But, our totally imaginary friend, Rocket J. Squirrel, seems to be the epitome of God’s unique success plan for the weak.
Wondering what Rocky and Rocket J. have to do with the Leaning Tower of Pisa? Maybe the Old Testament prophet, Zechariah, can offer a clue.
Then he said, “This is God’s message to Zerubbabel (governor of Judah in charge of rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem) :‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty—you will succeed because of my Spirit, though you are few and weak.’
When do you feel your weakest, most vulnerable, Dear Reader?
I have a couple of prescription meds I’m supposed to take daily. If they get overlooked for two or three days, my body doesn’t scream, “Danger Will Robinson! Danger!” I cannot say the same when I repeatedly miss quiet time with the Lord.
Sure, I go through life with Scriptures, hymns, and prayers coursing through my head and my heart. They can give a false sense of strength, but I’ve learned that’s not the essence of God’s success plan for me.
A couple of days without time in God’s presence begins to show a limelight on my weaknesses, short-tempered, unfocused, lacking compassion, you get the idea. Praise God, that even in my weakness, He continues to love me ( and you).
He remembered our utter weakness, for his loving-kindness continues forever.
Dear Reader, I am definitely not encouraging anyone to exercise Rocket J. Squirrel faith, leaning into whatever the world may offer. But I did read a quote recently about the Leaning Tower of Pisa that resonates with me:
“The Leaning Tower doesn.t fall because its center of gravity is carefully kept within its base.”
Wow! What a powerful statement of what the Lord longs for in each of us, that pull, the anchor deep within that tethers us to Him for our strength.
Dear Reader, whatever weakness you are compelled to call your own, the Lord still has a success plan for you. His power isn’t limited by our weakness,es rather, His power is magnified by them.
But he replied, “My gift of undeserved grace is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” So if Christ keeps giving me his power, I will gladly brag about how weak I am.
