Celebrating your weaknesses

Have you noticed that some of the greatest challenges in our lives, such as a disability, low social status or a character flaw, can actually serve as a strength in other contexts, leading to great opportunities? Consider this story cited in a book called Leader’s Digest by Canadian author, consultant and motivational speaker, Jim Clemmer.

A water bearer in India had two pots attached to each end of a pole. He would sling the pole over his shoulders to carry water from the stream to the house every day. One of the pots was cracked and leaked water. The other one was perfect.

One day the cracked pot spoke to the water bearer about its shame and apologized for dripping water while the other pot never lost a drop. The water bearer replied, “Yes you are cracked and do not carry water as well as your brother pot but you have an ability that he does not have. The water bearer then said, “Did you happen to notice that there are flowers on your side of the path but not on the side where the other pot is? That is because I have always known about your flaw and took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path and every day while we walk back from the stream, you have watered them as your broken portions leaked water.”

After relaying this story, Jim Clemmer makes the following insightful comments: “Dwelling on our own weaknesses or those of others rarely improves on them. And it sure doesn’t do much for passion and commitment. Rather than defining the ideal role and trying to find the perfect person to fit it, effective leaders find the person who meets most of the key criteria and tailors the responsibilities to align with the individual’s strengths.”

Although this advice is primarily directed toward business executives, it is also applicable for leaders within the body of Christ and instructive in our own personal development as we consider our weaknesses. If the challenges you face today involve the perception that your weaknesses disqualify you from effective service for God or others, take the opportunity to realize that the very things that disqualify you from some forms of service, make you tailor made for other forms of service.

Like the cracked water pot that brings life to flower seeds in the story, you may be bringing life to those around you through your unique personality, gifts and talents in ways that you are not aware of. Have the faith to believe that God is using even your weaknesses to his advantage. Ask him to do great things through your brokenness.

- Terry Harris

Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy when he was two years old, Terry Harris in the opinion of many experts within the medical and education professions, would never walk, talk, read, write or go to a regular school. It was recommended to his parents that he beplaced in an institution. In 1995 Terry graduated from Brock University with a B.A. in English Literature and obtained a degree in marriage and family therapy in 1999 from Tyndale Seminary.