Previous Reflections
REFLECTIONS
August 28, 2011
Refreshed from April 13, 2008
If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
2 Corinthians 11:30
Glow of Weakness
With her young son at her side, Anna Leonowens stepped onto the soil of the small nation of Siam. Quickly she was challenged by the pompous personality of her new employer, the proud polygamist king of the land— a man who depicted his position as wisdom, and his power with insensitivity. He made all the rules, took anything he wanted, and revealed no weakness—that is until Anna came on the scene.
As portrayed in the popular musical The King and I, Anna is strong in character, but the fascination of the story is the personality of the king. Standing on his pedestal of power, he peered down on the subjects of his small nation strutting as they looked up to him for all things. But even in the midst of his position and power, Anna could see beyond his facade of strength into the frailties that lived within him. Finally a wrenching moment came. He was broken. And there revealed for all to see in the glow of weakness lay the tender and loving heart that was to be his legacy.
Another era, another king, another great ruler held in high esteem by his subjects. He made the rules, took anything he wanted, and revealed no weakness. And blustering with power on his balcony one day his gaze fell on the fairness of a woman bathing in his view. His lust for her beauty provoked him to take her unto himself. David was king. All power was his. He could take anything he wanted, even another man’s wife—that is until confronted by the prophet Nathan. David was broken. And there for all to see in the glow of weakness lay the essence of a man after God’s own heart.
In weakness, he wrote the Twenty-third Psalm; in weakness he wept for his wayward son; in weakness he turned to God for help. From weakness, he taught how to repent, to love, and to worship God. David is remembered not for his position or power. His mark on the world is in the poems he wrote, the music he played, the love for God he shared. Through the glow of weakness his legacy lives.
Two kings from different eras once placed themselves above everything and everyone in belief that their own power could shield their weaknesses. They were wrong. But in the glow of weakness God beams the Light of the Savior—
And that should be our legacy.
You are the light of the world,
RichardÌ