The Apostle Paul's Thorn: Prescriptive or Descriptive
This week I led our staff devotions at our staff meeting and shared a thought about one of the Apostle Paul’s experiences. That morning I had re-read 2 Corinthians 12 where Paul describes his vision of heaven and his ensuing ‘thorn in the flesh’ given him by God to protect him from conceit.
I’ve read that account hundreds of times and the passage even includes one of my favorite Scriptures.
9But 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
As I meditated on his experience, this thought popped into my mind.
Is this ‘thorn’ story prescriptive or descriptive? That is, does God’s giving Paul this thorn simply describe what happened to Paul, and only Paul? Or does it imply that when God greatly uses a man or a woman for his purposes He will give (or allow) some place of perpetual brokenness that will keep that servant from being proud?
Sometimes when I think of pastors and church leaders that God greatly uses, I assume they face few personal problems or struggles. They seem to exude what American Christianity would deem a successful pastor. They lead growing mega-churches, speak at church growth conferences, sell lots of books, and have lots of people who like them.
However, when you get below the surface, I wonder if each of these great men and women of God also face their ‘thorns.’
I can think of a few who do or did.
- Spurgeon experienced regular depression and was often vilified by other pastors.
- Jonathan Edwards was fired from his first church.
- Ravi Zacharias deals with chronic back problems
- Rick Warren once shared in a conference that he often faces headaches when he preaches that one of his associates stands ready to complete his sermon if he can’t
I’m sure there are many more.
So, I don’t know for sure if it is inevitable that every great man or woman of God will face an ongoing ‘thorn in the flesh.’ But I believe that the higher you go in spiritual influence, the greater the chance you will.
If that is true, we who experience such thorns can at the same time experience what God gave Paul…His abundant grace.
I will attest to the truth of your conclusion. I was given the option of chronic pain with spiritual peace, or less physical pain with greater spiritual discomfort. I chose the former and whenever the pain is on the greater side, I am simply reminded of the love that applies it and the wonderful gift it represents.
We are given choices and options daily; the extent of our peace and joy depends on how we decide.
Lynn
thanks for your sharing
There is a critical shortage of ifnomtraive articles like this.
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Charles,
When you and I were on staff together at Southcliff in Fort Worth Texas I went through a three year period of allergies that incapacitated me in ways no one except a fellow sufferer will fully understand.
I endured fine most of the time. But often…on Sunday morning…I would be voiceless, totally clogged head, severe headache, even dizzy at times. Mary would call Dr. Gary Carter, who is now with the Lord and whom you knew well also, and he would meet us at his office with a steroid shot, some kind of machine therapy, and prayer with and for me.
Grace was present as I would generally stand and be able to preach. As you also know well, those years were some unprecedented times of God’s Spirit moving in the lives of people.
So while I don’t have an answer of whether descriptive or prescriptive I sure concur with your conclusion…”So, I don’t know for sure if it is inevitable that every great man or woman of God will face an ongoing ‘thorn in the flesh.’ But I believe that the higher you go in spiritual influence, the greater the chance you will.” I say “amen” to that thought.
Bro Paul. Wonderful insight. Thanks for sharing. Hope you guys are doing well. charles
Charles–AMEN, BROTHER!!!!! I couldn’t agree more. In fact, pastors who seem to be “struggle-free” are a LOT less trustable to me. I hate my own brokenness, but I know that God takes what Satan wants to use to harm me and somehow…used it for Kingdom building. I so appreciate your writing this blog. Thanks for finding me on Twitter. I’m glad to cyber meet you. You’ve encouraged me today, bro.
So glad my few words encouraged you!
I wrote a blogpost on Paul’s thorn in the flesh, it’s at http://jvworship.blogspot.com/2007/11/standing-your-ground.html
Please read it and let me know what you think?