30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
Paul has just listed the qualifications that he has as an Apostle. These included a list of the suffering that he experienced because he was a believer and a spokesperson. The list is impressive. If a speaker were to list these qualifications today, crowds would show up to hear him speak. Any one of these would allow him to do some boasting, and yet Paul chooses not to boast about them. He recognizes the depth of his own need for salvation and therefore does not want to boast. He chooses to focus on his weaknesses. I think he does this on purpose. He focuses on his own weakness to keep himself from self-reliance. I think this is a good stance if we are prone to pride. By focusing on our own weaknesses, in other words being honest before the Lord, we keep our need foremost in our minds. Paul really does not want to boast at all. That is probably a good stance for all of us. Over the years I have become less comfortable with my own accomplishments. Some of that has to do with knowing how average I really am. Some of it has to do with a more realistic view of my strengths and weaknesses, mostly the weaknesses. I am only an average preacher. I don’t have the time, or maybe the inclination to more carefully craft the flow of my sermons. I don’t spend enough time developing illustrations that support the main theme. I used to think I could be a really good preacher. I am engaging and I speak well, but my content is not what even I would like from myself. I am not organized as a pastor. It takes too much energy for me. I wish organization came naturally, but it is always a stretch. Do you know your weaknesses? Are you honest with yourself about them? Honest with others?
The Arnold Journey 