Talking through images...

"when I am weak then I am strong"

Paul's Story, My Wife's Story, and My story

a Photographic Biblical Interpretation on 2 Corinthians 12:1~10

Note

Paul’s Story
For Paul, Corinthian church is a headache, because the congregation of Corinth church do not obey him and make many troubles. However, when I look close at their time and place, the disobedient of Corinthian church is understandable. The city of Corinth is the one of richest and most corrupted city. It is the Sodom and Gomorrah of Rome.
2 Corinthian 12:1~10 shows many unfamiliar things, which are Paul’s inexpressible vision and boasting weakness. One of most significant Roman culture is to boast a person’s public life. As a Roman citizen, the most honor is to build public building in his/her name. Therefore, the virtues of Roman culture are power and money. The congregation of Corinth also like to boast their spiritual gifts, leadership, and vision. However, Paul boasts his weakness. Why?
 
My Wife’s Story
My wife has been sick for three years. Actually, in her uterus, there are some fibroid. They cause pain and non-pregnancy. I think she is a good Christian. Perhaps, she has had more spiritual experiences than me. My wife has prayed for healing. However, her fibroid are not gone away. Moreover, her pain is getting stronger.
However, my wife testifies her suffering makes her be stronger. When we served Korean immigrants church in Newport News, VA, she always said to me that she wished be healthy person in order to do more works for children. Also, she said to me that she envied me, because I was a healthy person and did lots of works for the church. She cried out to God to be healed. However, God gave another answer for her. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” She confessed me that her suffering made her be stronger. Because of suffering, she cried out God. Because of suffering, she knew God more than before. Because of suffering, our relationship was getting closer than before.
Therefore, my wife testifies, “For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

My Story
I am a strong and healthy person. I have many gifts. I do many works for church. I believe myself too much, because I think my capacity is enough to work. However, I am Corinthian who is a headache of Paul. Paul’s testimony come to me through my wife’s suffering. “When I am weak, then I am strong.” Actually, I do not think much about Paul’s testimony. As the husband of suffering woman, I need to ask God what the weakness means. I like to share my answer though Images.