Power Redefined | Edith Rae | March 22nd 2026

When you feel like you do not have what it takes, you are in the perfect position for God to show that he does. Your limitations are not a liability in his hands. They are the exact space where his power shows up the clearest. That is where your story stops being about your ability and starts becoming about his glory. [00:33:48] (37 seconds)  #WeaknessToGlory

Hear me well. This did not in any way diminish Paul's pain, but it gave it meaning. I find that the first question, when we face trials, is usually, why? Why is this happening? I don't understand. But I think maybe a better question would be, father, what are you working on in my life through this trial? What are you doing in my heart? [00:20:24] (41 seconds)  #RefinedByTrials

Look at this picture. This is not a picture of power. It's about the weakest symbol you can think of, a man hanging between two condemned criminals, unable to breathe. It speaks of shame, weakness, pain, suffering, the ultimate humiliation. But out of that weakness on the cross came the greatest power the world had ever seen. [00:16:28] (42 seconds)  #CrossRevealsPower

Standing here before you this morning, opening God's word with you is an absolute joy and absolutely terrifying. I have often been tempted to, the day before the sermon, to go into hiding. But when we surrender with a trembling and trusting heart, he takes over. We never know what he can do with a surrendered heart. [00:31:39] (38 seconds)  #SurrenderLetsGodLead

Paul asked God to remove the thorn three times, but instead of relief, he received a different gift that would keep Paul humble and dependent on divine strength rather than his own ability. God said to him, my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. [00:18:33] (32 seconds)  #SufficientGrace

Just as a cracked pot allows light to shine through, human limitations allow God's power to be more clearly seen. God cannot use us, he will not use us, if we are full of ourselves. John the Baptist knew this secret as well. He said about Jesus, the friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. [00:22:44] (38 seconds)  #HumbleVessels

We love power in all its forms. We idolize the strong, the wealthy, the winners. We are easily impressed by status, prestige, and strength. We cheer on those who dominate. We try to hide our weaknesses. We avoid talking about our insecurities. We cover up our struggles and pretend all is fine. Vulnerability is seen as weakness. We hide our limitations. We carefully curate our image so as not to show weakness. We even use filters to cover up imperfections. [00:03:34] (48 seconds)  #UnfilteredVulnerability

We could go on and on. Scripture is littered with stories of men and women who understood their own poverty unless God broke through with strength. The New Testament paints the same picture. A seed must die to produce fruit. The greatest treasure of all is held in jars of clay. The poor in spirit are blessed. The humble are lifted up. [00:07:29] (40 seconds)  #StrengthInHumility