Connecting Point: The Appearance of Weakness

Montanan men and women going back to the pioneer days have put a premium on self-reliance. As such, even modern Montanans shun outward appearances of weakness. So, we consider weakness as a handicap, something that keeps us from reaching our goals. Weakness, as a characteristic, goes against an early American standard. Work hard and you are supposed to be rewarded. How often do you see weakness celebrated? Never.

The Biblical perspective on weakness is unconventional. God often chose the humble over the proud or the frail over the strong; Gideon, David, and Timothy to name a few. Paul lets...