where there is weakness, there is strength.

The Book of Judges specifically Chapters 6,7 and 8 is all about Gideon. Let me refresh your memory about the story of Gideon which I find so beautiful and interesting because Gideon was a simple farmer, and yet, Scriptures say, he talked to GOD as if he were talking to a friend. Theirs was such a personal, undemanding relationship (God and Gideon) until God told him, “You must lead an army and fight the Midianites”.

Of course, what would Gideon say to God but, “How can that be? I am not a warrior, but a simple farmer. Besides, I am very small compared to the Midianites who are like giants. I cannot fight them.”
But the Lord told him , “You have it, you have it because you know that you are weak. You have it because you are humble. I will fight the battle for you.”

As a matter of fact, the Lord was not satisfied with that because during the battle, the Lord diminished the army of Gideon to 300 against the thousand warriors of Midian and yet Gideon won the battle. Not because he was strong, not because he was well trained but because God was with him.

Actually, while I was pondering on the passages of the book of Judges and while I was writing down this reflections, I was battling against my headache, and muscle pains because of colds. I needed to fight the colds virus and vowed to myself not to skip any of the Divine Offices for the day in our Church. I succeeded. I won. I only needed lots and lots of water and Vitamin C fluids. I only needed an eight-hour night sleep. I only needed lots of prayers.

As with us , we may have to fight so many battles in our lives. We will have to fight the battle against our own selfishness which makes us feel jealous of the achievements of other people.

We will have to fight the battle against our own feelings of ill will against other people simply because they are wealthier, or more successful in life, or more handsome or beautiful than you, or happier than you, or more influential than you, or more talented than you.

We will have to fight the many battles against our desire to be somebody in our offices, communities and even in the whole world; in our desire to secure the respect and acquire reverence of those around us.

Similar to the battle of Midian, the battle against sin cannot be fought by mere rationality or by psychoanalysis. The battle against sin cannot be fought simply because we are smart and we have good educational background. The battle of sin can only be fought and won if you completely rely on GOD for help.

Let us stop blaming our traumatic childhood. Let us stop blaming our bosses. Let us stop blaming our husbands. Let us stop blaming our wives. Let us stop blaming our children. Let us stop blaming the world. Let us stop blaming our parents (living or dead) for who we are, for what we are doing in our life, and for what have become of us.

Rather, let us TRUST completely in God. He won the battle for Gideon. We will also win our battle against our brokenness, against our weaknesses, against our sin: with His generous help.
Let us trust in HIM.

As we continue with our Lenten observance, let us start the battle, and with the grace and mercy of our loving God, we will surely and definitely win.
Blessings to us all!