Recently, Summit had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Kiedis, President of Lancaster Bible College, who spoke in chapel to our students on a profound topic: "The Essential Prerequisite of Being Weak When Being Used by the Lord." Drawing from 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, Dr. Kiedis challenged us to reconsider how we view weakness, especially in a culture that prizes strength and self-reliance.
Dr. Kiedis opened with a personal confession: “I don’t like to feel weak.” Most of us can relate. We live in a world that glorifies strength—whether it’s the physical power of athletes, the business acumen of successful entrepreneurs, or the mental toughness displayed on shows like Shark Tank. Yet, Dr. Kiedis pointed out that in Scripture, weakness is not a flaw but a fundamental prerequisite for those who are used mightily by God.
Throughout the Bible, God’s greatest servants—people like Moses, Gideon, David, and Paul—were not immune to weakness. In fact, their struggles often positioned them to rely fully on the Lord. Dr. Kiedis challenged the students to discuss moments in their lives that made them feel weak, helping them understand that weakness is not something to shy away from, but to embrace as a place where God's power can manifest.
In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul expresses contentment with his own weaknesses, for it’s when he is weak that the Lord’s strength shines brightest in his life. Dr. Kiedis described weakness as God's "unwelcome gift"—a sovereignly appointed tool that God uses to work something good in us, whether through physical frailty, emotional struggles, or life challenges. Sometimes, this gift comes with "unfavorable answers" to our prayers for relief, yet it's within these challenges that God’s grace becomes most evident.
Jesus Himself modeled this in the Garden of Gethsemane, when He prayed multiple times for the "cup" of suffering to be taken from Him. But even in His plea, there was surrender to the Father's will. Similarly, Paul reminds us to "let perseverance finish its work" so that strength may complete its perfect work in us.
Weakness leads to what Dr. Kiedis called "a most unusual boast." In the world, boasting comes from achievements, but in God’s Kingdom, we can boast in our weakness. For when we are weak, we are truly strong. Dr. Kiedis encouraged the students to lift their heads in their weakest moments, for God rests His presence upon those who humbly acknowledge their need for Him.
In his closing, Dr. Kiedis offered an important reminder for those called to lead: If you want to succeed as a leader, ask for help. Leadership is not about being the strongest person in the room, but about recognizing when you need others—and, most importantly, when you need God. As he invited the students to pause and discuss what it means to embrace weakness in their own lives, it became clear that embracing weakness is not just about enduring hardship, but about finding strength, freedom, and God's presence in the midst of it.
Weakness, in God’s hands, becomes the platform from which His power can be displayed most clearly. When we are weak, we can rest in His Word, lift our heads, and trust that His grace will always be sufficient. Thank you Dr. Kiedis for the powerful reminder!
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