One of the sights of beauty at this time of year is the abundance of beautiful and delicate white snowdrops. These heralds of spring are much hardier than they look, and bring a flowering brightness to hedgerows, gardens and woodland floors everywhere. As I walk past them each day I’m amazed that they survive this cold weather and remain upright and cheerful against the odds.
St Paul, perceived by many in his day and throughout church history as a person of considerable power, reflects on his weakness and comments: ‘I asked the Lord to take away this thorn in my side, but the Lord said to me, “My grace is enough to cover and sustain you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”’ (2 Cor. 12: 8,9)
From a more contemporary source Leonard Cohen wrote:
‘Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack, a crack in everything That's how the light gets in.’ (L. Cohen. Anthem 1992)
That’s the point. Lent invites us to discover again that despite our weaknesses, our fallibility, God’s light shines through these cracks, and God’s grace is given so that we learn to trust in his strength, not in our own.
Next time you pass some snowdrops, pause and give thanks to God who makes his beauty and strength evident in what seems fragile and vulnerable.
Lord our God,
in every age you call people to find purpose and potential in you.
When our weaknesses weigh heavily,
strengthen us with your grace.
When the echo of our actions seems hollow or cracked by flaws,
illumine our hearts by Easter’s bright promise.
And lead us in your ways, today and for ever. Amen.
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