We’ve all read them:
This is not a life-saving device.
There is no guarantee that the information on this site is correct, complete, or up-to-date.
This product is not intended to treat any medical conditions.
Whatever happens, we cannot be held responsible because we wrote a few sentences in fine print.
Do you ever feel like you need a disclaimer for yourself?
I’ve only been practicing for a few days, so…
I’m no expert.
I know I’m not very good at this…
I’m really nervous.
When I am out of place, or amongst people more qualified than myself, I feel the need to acknowledge my inabilities as a warning.
At work: I’ve never done this before.
To cross country teammates: I didn’t run in high school.
In relationships: I know I’m kind of an awkward person…
For some reason, I need to let people know that I am not confident in whatever the new or intimidating situation is. Then, maybe I won’t be held responsible for my failure. Maybe if I tell people that I’m aware of my faults, they’ll give me a little more understanding. I’ll receive more grace. Maybe they’ll stick around to see the whole picture: read the fine print, if you will.
Something I’ve been learning, though, is that I need to stop apologizing for my imperfections. My weaknesses are an opportunity to learn from others. More than that, however, they are an opportunity for God’s strength to be reflected in me.
The Lord tells Paul in 2 Corinthians 12, “My power is made perfect in weakness.”
And Paul responds, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That 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.”
With this perspective, yeah, sure, I’ll acknowledge my faults. For, when I am confident enough to be vulnerable, I make room for the Lord to be magnified. When I am brave enough to recognize my inadequacies, I can do so with joy rather than shame, because it creates an environment where God’s power and strength are best on display.
I’m gonna try to ditch the fine print: the apologies, the excuses, the shame.
How’s this for a disclaimer?
I’m flawed. I take full responsibility for the fact that I am kind of a mess. My suite mates can totally attest to this. I am guaranteed to fail, and I am probably going to really embarrass myself in the process. There are plenty of life skills I have yet to master. Sometimes I don’t know when to stop talking. My suite mates can confirm this as well…
Like Paul, I will boast about my weaknesses, delight in them. As cliche as it sounds, my weaknesses are an opportunity for cool things to happen. The fact that I can do something great for the kingdom of God, flaws and all, is a testament to His love and power. It’s exciting, encouraging. “For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. 1 Corinthians 1:27-29
