I was sitting in one of my bible college classes and I remember the teacher saying, “If you or your church cant do something with excellence, then you shouldn’t do it at all.” And at the time I remember thinking–yeah that’s right, it’s such an embarrassment when a church tries to do something and, really it’s just awful. Singing is a good example—why would you let someone sing that is terrible at it—what if you have visitors that day? What would they think about the church?

Yet one of the identifying marks of Christ after his resurrection was his wounds.  It is as if God used the weak thing to shame the strong. Almost like God used the foolishness of the Cross to share wisdom to all who seek it.  

It isn’t through power or excellence that the church ministers, but through the power of the Holy Spirit that works through our meager attempts. Its faithfulness and willingness that achieves results in the Kingdom of God. We open ourselves up in vulnerability trying to be faithful to God and to our neighbor. Being vulnerable means we might be humiliated, it means we might not do things perfectly, but our savior displayed his wounds and through those wounds, God has accomplished the salvation of the world.  

God can certainly use our weaknesses and imperfections as we seek to be faithful to God’s call of witness and service.