We believe weakness is bad and strength is good. It is at the very core of human nature. And everything around us tells us the same. Pain is weakness leaving the body. Flaws are diminishing, and perfection is the goal. If we show the cracks that we have, then we’ll be less useful, less revered.

We cannot stand to be seen as weak, so we always play to our strengths.

But with God, this is flipped on its head. God makes beautiful use out of what is broken(God makes beautiful things out of the dust), God specializes in using human weaknesses, even yours! This is what Paul discovered firsthand with God, and that’s the truth he’s sharing with the Corinthians in these verses this morning. He wants them and us to know that our weakness shows Jesus’ greatness.