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Advent devotion: Gray hairs & a sweet tooth

News | December 13, 2016

By Andy Langdon

My roommate had applied a liberal amount of product on his head. Now he was waiting, counting in his head as he watched himself in the mirror. He was doing everything he could to maintain the hair on his head. As he studied himself, I remember thinking for the first time that I would be bald someday. I was not interested in spending my time, energy and resources like that. I was just going to have to be bald.

Turns out I’m not only bald, but the hair that I have left is turning gray. I also have a major sweet-tooth. I am sometimes too loud. and I don’t like housework. There seems to be no end the weakness of my own person. andy-langdon-pic

In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul describes his own struggle and acceptance of weakness when he describes God’s voice saying, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul concludes that he will boast all the more gladly of his weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in him.

This is one of the true marvels of God, that in our weakness, God is made known. If God’s power really is made perfect in weakness, then the Christmas story is about God’s wondrous love in his beautiful weakness. In this story, God is delivered into the hands of humanity in the weak form of a child. God is wrapped up by humans and cared for by a mother. God’s weakness allows humans to show their wondrous love. Much in the same way my own weakness allows God to powerfully love me. What a wonder it is to be loved in your weakness.

Don’t let your weaknesses weigh you down this Advent season. Those very weaknesses allow the wondrous love of God to be made known. Who could love people like us? God does.

Andy Langdon is the director of youth ministry at St. Paul Lutheran Church. He lives in Davenport with his wife Becky, and their two sons, Jacob and Drew. He has freed up a lot of time since he doesn’t have to worry about his hair.

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2 Comments on “Advent devotion: Gray hairs & a sweet tooth”

  • Anne Budde

    December 15, 2016 at 2:03 pm

    Andy: Thanks for reminding me to love my weaknesses. Gosh – we are all human and imperfect, still fight this reality some days. The photo of your beautiful family shines boldly.

  • Priscilla Hull

    December 13, 2016 at 7:38 pm

    How I love these thoughts of yours! Thank you for being so real and reminding me of just how much God loves me…you do this so well!

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