In 1835 a man visited a doctor in Florence, Italy. He was filled with anxiety and exhausted from lack of sleep. He couldn’t eat, and he avoided his friends. The doctor found that he was in prime physical condition. Concluding that his patient needed to have a good time, the physician told him about a circus in town and its star performer, a clown named Grimaldi. Night after night he had the people rolling in the aisles. “You must go and see him,” the doctor advised. “Grimaldi is the world’s funniest clown. He’ll make you laugh and cure your sadness.”
“No, he can’t help me,” said the patient. “You see, I am Grimaldi!”
It’s one of those ironies, a paradox of life in general, and a hidden truth of Kingdom life in particular. Laughter flows out of pain. Joy would be nonexistent without sorrow. Grace wouldn’t exist if there were no need for it. And what I lack becomes the basis for what I have to offer.
Are you financially strapped? Plan on it: When God seeks a hilarious giver, He’ll knock on your door first. Ever hear of the widow’s mite?
Are you ready to hang it up? Be prepared: God may soon drop you squarely in front of somebody who needs a word of hope. Hey Eeyore! Somebody’s noticing you.
“But what about my financial needs?” you ask. “What about my need for encouragement?”
You don’t get it yet. So let’s try again.
Are you wasted-tired, at the end of your energy or strength? You can anticipate an opportunity to give some of your energy or strength to somebody else. Saddle up, cowboy! You’ve got a trail to blaze.
Are you anxious or depressed? Joyless and sad? You’re a prime target to bring a smile to somebody else. Showtime, Grimaldi.
Yeah, I know, it’s not natural. It’s supernatural. It’s not logical, it’s spiritual. God asks for what you don’t have to give so He can give it through you. Then when you’ve given all, you will discover that what you lacked, you now have.
Huh?
Here’s how Paul put it: Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size — abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become. (2 Corinthians 12:10, The Message)
Next time you go counting your blessings, look deeper. You may be surprised at what you find when you look through a different lens.
This is, indeed, the paradox of the Christian life, is it not? 🙂 Fantastic post as always, Andy. Now, off to Facebook with you!
Blessings!
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