I’ve read lots of conjecture about Paul’s “thorn in the flesh,” a physical ailment God refused to remove (2 Corinthians 12). Paul never spelled it out, so no one is really sure what his problem might have been.

As we read Galatians 4, we discover a clue. Paul reminds the good people of Galatia that an illness first brought him to preach to them. Then he mentions that in their generous care for him, they would have “torn out your eyes and given them to me.” Was something wrong with Paul’s eyes?

At the end of Acts Paul gathers firewood and a viper latches on – he obviously didn’t see that coming. Paul closes his letter to Galatia using “large letters by my own hand!” Sounds like a dude with bad eyes.

Paul influenced the world by writing and preaching about Jesus. Paul traveled on foot, preached to hostile and friendly crowds, labored as a tentmaker, and wrote letter after letter. All with diseased eyes. Seems like he deserved a break.

Paul prayed fervently for that break, but relief never arrived. Instead, power walked through the door. Paul delighted in weakness – delighted – because in his weakness Christ’s power – power to change the world – surged through him.

Worth it.

Week four of reading the Bible cover to cover.