His Strength In Our Weakness

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 
 
I’ll never forget my first time preaching at a revival, specifically, the second night, which was a Thursday. I preached on the Second Coming of Christ. It was probably the worst message that I've ever preached. I lost my place three different times. I dropped my notes twice, and I had to reach down and pick them up.  
 
When I finally got ready to give the invitation, I gave it just like this, “If you're here tonight (and you probably don't want to be), or if you're here tonight and you felt God speak to you (which you probably didn't), and you've never met Jesus (but I guess most of you are Christians), but if God has touched you, and you want to come (you probably don't), we will sing a couple of verses of an invitation to Him. I want to invite you to come if you really want to. So, let's stand and sing.”  
 
They began to stand and sing. I went over to the pastor's chair that was on the platform. I got down on my knees and I began to pray like this, “Oh God, I am so sorry for dropping my notes, for missing my place. I thought I was prepared, and I just made a wreck of this thing. Give me another chance. I will try to do better.”  
 
I apologized to God for how I had preached. I said, “Lord, please forgive me, in Jesus' name, amen.” I stood to my feet, and 13 people had come down in this small church of 52 people; 13 people gave their lives to Christ! By the time the week was over, about 50 people had come to Christ. The church had actually doubled in one week!  
 
When I look back on this moment in my life, I realize it had nothing to do with me. I was just representing the Lord. Sometimes, in our greatest weakness, God's power is seen in the greatest form. You need to remember that when you think you have failed, God always wins. We are to serve in His strength and not think that we must be perfect. It is in our weakness that God is greater and lifted higher than at any other time. God wants to use you. He wants to use your heart more than anything else.  
 
You need to be mindful that you are representing the Lord Jesus Christ. When you serve, do it in His strength. Whether you sing, teach, preach, or do helpful things for other people, do it in the power of God. Don’t do it in your own strength. Lean back on Him and allow the Spirit of God to give you the strength and motivation to move forward. The Holy Spirit will give you the desire to serve and honor the Lord. Be mindful that you represent Him.