Those two things don’t seem to belong together. If we are in a leadership role of any kind, we often spend our time trying to improve our knowledge of how to run a ministry or organization… or even how to lead your family. We read leadership books (and there are some good ones), and we attend seminars, either in person or online. The last thing we want to be or appear is weak.

My friend Joni Eareckson is an amazing leader. Yet she has been a quadriplegic for almost sixty years. She was awarded a special honor by the Global Leadership Network last year, and in her acceptance speech, she made some amazing comments that are counterintuitive in today’s culture. Joni declares:

“The most effective leaders do not rise to power despite their weakness; they lead with power because of their weakness.”

Wow. That is an amazing thought. The very thing that we think would hold us back in the leadership role the Lord has for us is the very thing that God will use to make us the leader He needs. Joni says it this way:

Our calling is always shaped by our weakness.

Think about it for a minute. What do you think is holding you back? What do you think others will see as a negative in your life? It may be the very thing God will use to accomplish His purpose through you.

Joni leads a global ministry to the disabled. Who better to encourage a disabled person and show the power of God than another disabled person that the Lord has used greatly?

The Apostle Paul struggled with that. Of course, his past as a persecutor of Christians would quickly disqualify him to many as a proclaimer of Jesus as Lord. He also had some sort of “thorn in the flesh” that he begged God to remove. In Paul’s own words:

Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me…. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 NLT

A study of most of the Bible’s “heroes” reveals that they were flawed men and women. Abraham and Sarah, David…yes, Adam and Eve. Yet God’s power was displayed in their lives in a way that showed others it was God who should receive the glory.

John the Baptist said it well.

He [Jesus] must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.

John 3:30 NLT

Weakness is always God’s way of working. And building leaders. Yes, be the best you can be. Hone your leadership skills. But recognize, God didn’t place you in a leadership position because of what you bring to the role, but because he wants to exhibit His power through you…because of your weakness.

God’s best,