It's true, as Christians we really aren't supposed to occupy much time with boasting. Yet I have to admit there are times when I catch myself doing a little boasting of some sort. I will also confess that when I catch myself boasting it is NEVER about my weaknesses! Heaven forbid! What if folks discovered I was human? What if I figured out I really was just a legend in my own mind only? No weakness boasting for me! It would be the ultimate betrayal of being a male American. You know - "never let 'em see your weakness!" Strange thing weakness. It just makes us too vulnerable. Too open to being hurt. Too human.

Two weeks ago, the city of Charleston, the United States, and the entire world experienced a weakness of epic proportions. Maybe it's because the tragedy occurred in such close proximity to where we live - just over the bridge - that our grief, mourning, and feelings of weakness were so acute. We didn't know - or know to expect - that  welcoming a stranger into our midst during a Bible study would lead to such a complete sense of weakness through the loss of nine innocent people. Hard in any stretch of the imagination to think, now that we are on the other side, this would be an occasion to boast about anything.

 I can imagine, as Jesus began his talk of "going away", the disciples had no idea about the imminent implications it would have on their lives. They were all in. Vested. Sold out to Jesus as Lord. And then came "Good Friday." It would seem - as we consider - an anomaly that the events of that day could portray anything good. An innocent man proclaiming in his nomadic ministry that we should "love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength through the practical framework of loving our neighbors as we love ourselves." I can't imagine there was ever a more helpless feeling for the disciples - a deeper sense of weakness - than when they stood by as the logos of God was put to death. Epic. Tragic. Unreal. Unjust. Undeserved. Weakness personified. All was lost.

 I have to admit I have been boasting a little of late. Not so much about the tragedy in our sister city. I'm boasting rather in our weakness that the power of God is shining through. I guess the world thinks Christians are weak. I mean to be as naïve as to think anything good could possibly come out of such a tragedy like that at Emanuel AME. We were left with such a feeling of complete weakness as innocent people were taken, too soon, from among us. And yet, in that very space of feeling so weak, we discover the risen Christ among us and within us is so very strong! The holy city. Who would have ever imagined that God would use such an event like that to place Charleston as a city on a hill? Place her as a candle on a lampstand to radiate the love of God throughout the world? Who would have thought - through our most profound feelings of weakness - Christ's power would be resting on us and shining through us as God's people? And yet it has. In our weakness - the power of God has shown oh-so-strong!

So, I guess in the course of this epistle, I've experienced a change of heart. Ok, maybe not a change of heart, but certainly a re-enforced conviction. I've decided, like Paul, I will boast. I'm inviting you to do the same in the days ahead. Not boasting in our city or the way we have as a community been such a witness to God's grace-filled and grace-full care. Boasting rather in the truth that God's grace is sufficient for us all. In good times and tragic ones. Boast in the fact that directly in and through our times of weakness the power of God is radiating through us as Christ followers. Deep down in that place of intersection between our own humanity and the grace of God, it becomes very real. Treasure in earthen vessels showing the power belongs to God and not to us. We are weak. But in our weakness, God is oh-so-strong.

My prayer in the days ahead is for us to continue our process of healing. I know I'm not supposed to boast. But I think I will. And I want to ask you to boast with me. So-will you boast with me about the amazing grace of God who can through our weakness make us oh so very strong? As Paul says, we can do "it for Christ's sake".

Much grace and peace,