“The thorn in the flesh is your reminder of your infinite dependency on God’s infinite mercy for you.”
~James Finley
Reflection:
We do not get to choose which of our character defects or shortcomings God takes away or when. The best we can do is to acknowledge and confess them, bring them to prayer, make amends where necessary, and remain mindfully vigilant when they crop up. We never truly know what God is doing with us, how he is using these thorns in our flesh for his purpose, or why he allows some to remain while taking others away. We can trust, however, that “he who began a good work in [us] will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).
Though we strive to “be perfect… as [our] heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48) and to “enter the narrow gate” (Matthew 7:13) of sinlessness, none of us will achieve this state of saintliness, of perfect and perpetual union with God, in this life. But the thorns in our flesh remind us to keep trying. They remind us, as James Finley says, that we are infinitely dependent on God’s infinite mercy in all things. The thorns in our flesh remind us of the good news that we cannot do this alone, for we are saved by grace through faith, which is a gift from God and not of our own doing, so that we cannot boast about our holiness (Ephesians 2:8-9). In short, we can will or wish them away with all our might, but the thorns in our flesh keep us humble and reliant on God.
~Robert Van Valkenburgh
Question for Meditation:
How have the “thorns” or recurring struggles in your life kept you humble and drawn you deeper into reliance on God’s mercy rather than your own strength and understanding?
Related Bible Verse:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)
For Further Reading:
If you enjoyed this reading, Lectio Divina: In Need of Mercy is a related reflection on embracing our weaknesses as a way of experiencing more deeply God’s mercy and grace:
Leave a Reply