“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

2 Corinthians 12:9

Play to your strengths. That’s the age-old wisdom of sports and coaching. The same is true in business. Figure out what you are good at and do more of that.

If it’s running the ball up the middle—find different ways to hit the hole at full speed. If your speed is on the outside, spread the field with quick-hitting bubble screens.

In basketball, if you have the best big man in the game, you probably shouldn’t spend all your energy shooting 3-pointers. Get the ball inside!

If your business excels at making fried chicken—build your marketing streams around your tasty chicken—not your burnt coffee. And, if your coffee and atmosphere are your specialty, don’t lead with your rubbery fried chicken.

Play to your strengths. It isn’t rocket science. It is good strategy.

Yes, work on your weaknesses. Improve your long-range shooting on the hardwood. Don’t abandon the run game on the gridiron. Learn to brew a decent cup of coffee. Weaknesses shouldn’t be ignored. But, playing to your strengths is a growth strategy. It is where people drift towards when trying to improve. People, simply, are less interested in working on the things we are no good at doing. We’d rather hone our skills in the areas we are competent.

Playing to your strengths is a path forward in life. It’s how we pick our majors in school and our careers after. It is our strengths that help us climb the success ladder and help us to be known.

I talk into a microphone every week. It is natural for me. So, later this week at my daughter’s volleyball game, I was asked to do the pre-game announcements as we introduce the players and the teachers they are honoring that game. Why? Because public speaking is a strength of mine. And of course, I’m happy to help with something that is easy for me and hard for many others.

In God’s economy, Paul invites us into a different reality. It is through our weakness that we experience God’s presence and power. But how? And why?

The problem with strengths is—we think they belong to us. Our strengths make it easy to focus on our skill and ability. And the lines blur in our minds between our skill and God’s gifting. Our sinfulness makes us think our ability is ours and ours alone.

I had a pretty good jump shot back in the day. I won games at the last second because I was able to put the ball through the hoop at the right time. I worked really hard at basketball for the majority of my childhood and into young adulthood. Even though I was well-rounded—basketball was my life. And when I had success, I couldn’t help but take credit for it. In truth, God was the source of my ability and skills. Yes, I honed them through practice, sweat, and time. But even that was a gift from the Lord.

When Paul tells us that His power is made perfect in weakness, he is telling us that it is in our weakness that we are better able to see God’s hand directly working. In our weakness, it is far easier to see God’s presence and power at work. In weakness, it is only by the grace of God.

I don’t believe that playing to your weakness is a great strategy for your favorite ball team. And it likely isn’t a great path for your career either. But in the formation of your whole self as a disciple of Jesus Christ—play to your weaknesses from time to time. This is a good spiritual habit to practice. Sign up to do things that put you beyond your comfort zone. Volunteer to serve in an area you wouldn’t normally. Put yourself in positions to be surprised by God’s provision, power, and presence.

If you only do the things that you can accomplish on your own, you are robbing yourself of the joy and power of God working in you and through you. It is a spiritual equivalent of soaring through the air as the power of God sees you through.

Just once this week, play to your weakness. Maybe you’ll fail in epic glory. And just maybe, God will surprise you in powerful ways.

How has your weakness blessed you?