• Home Page
  • Bible College
    • About FLBC
    • Academics
    • Student Life
    • Admissions
    • Tuition & Aid
    • After FLBC
  • Seminary
    • About
    • Academics
    • Admissions
  • About Us
    • Mission
    • Our Beliefs
    • History
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Accreditation
    • Assessments
    • Campus & Location
    • Campus Library
  • News
  • Events
  • Calendar
  • Donate
  • Blogs
  • Videos
  • Students
  • Alumni
    • What We Do
    • Alumni Association
    • Referral Opportunity
    • Transcript Request
    • Alumni Testimonies
    • Alumni Job Opportunities
  • Capital Campaign
    • Student Life Center Webcam
  • Athletics
    • FLBC Athletics
    • Basketball Live Stream
  • Choirs
  • Gospel Teams
  • Summer Teams
  • Live
  • Chapel
  • Prayer Updates
  • Stories
  • Students
  • Alumni
    • What We Do
    • Alumni Association
    • Referral Opportunity
    • Transcript Request
    • Prayer Support
    • Alumni Testimonies
    • Alumni Job Opportunities
  • Student Life Center
  • Athletics
    • FLBC Athletics
    • Basketball Live Stream
  • Music
  • Gospel Teams
  • Summer Teams
  • Contact
  • Donate
Free Lutheran Bible College and SeminaryFree Lutheran Bible College and Seminary
    • Home
    • Bible College
      • About FLBC
      • Academics
      • Student Life
      • Admissions
      • Tuition & Aid
      • After FLBC
    • Seminary
      • About FLS
      • Academics
      • Admissions
    • About Us
      • Mission and Objectives
      • Our Beliefs
      • History
      • Faculty & Staff
      • Accreditation
      • Assessments
      • Campus & Location
      • Library
      • Wedding Event Request
    • News
    • Events
    • Stories
    • Resources
      • Blogs
      • Videos

    Kinship

    • Home
    • Blog
    • Kinship
    • He Uses Even Our Weakness

    He Uses Even Our Weakness

    • Posted by FLBC
    • Date October 2, 2020

    In the summer of 2014, I went on a five-day canoe trip in northern Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA). The trip was the culmination of a year-long journey I had taken with my dad, three of my friends, and their dads. Our adventure in the BWCA was the greatest and final event in what we called our “vision quest,” a term used to describe a rite of passage taken by adolescents who are entering adulthood.

    The first four days of our quest went by relatively smoothly. After raining briefly on the first afternoon, the weather cleared up, revealing the beauty of northern Minnesota.

    Of the four teenagers, I was the weakest and least proficient paddler. Even with calm waters, the canoe carrying my dad and I would usually be the last to reach its destination. It didn’t matter. I was thankful to be out in nature with people I loved and the men who cared most about me. There was no judgment, only joy.

    The final stretch of our journey was by far the most difficult. As we entered Clearwater Lake and set off for home, the wind picked up and the waves started rocking against the side of the canoe. I had to paddle as hard as I could as we were facing head-on into the wind. Progress was slow. As usual, our canoe was last in line, but one of my friends, Logan, and his dad were not far ahead. We stayed close to shore to try and avoid the full force of the wind and height of the waves. When we were about halfway across the lake, we spotted two people in a canoe who were in serious trouble. A mother and young daughter were struggling to keep their canoe from turning over. Suddenly, the canoe spun completely around while a wave smashed into its side. The paddlers spilled into the lake as the canoe turned and took on water.

    My dad snapped into action. We quickly landed, and he began swimming out to help the stranded paddlers. Hearing the commotion, Logan and his dad turned around and paddled back to help. Soon, everyone was onshore, and a motorboat had been called. The woman’s husband and son, who were also up ahead, arrived and stayed on shore until they were picked up. I stood next to my canoe and looked over at Logan. I was a little shaken but relieved that nobody was hurt.

    As I look back, I am thankful that God used my weakness and my struggle for good. If I had been as good a paddler as my friends, my dad and I would have passed by that canoe long before it flipped. No one would have been there to help.

    I Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Sometimes it can be hard to be thankful. The winds and the waves of life can flare up at any moment, and it’s tempting to narrow in on our struggle and forget that we are never alone. Not only is God always there, but people around us are enduring storms of their own. No matter our surroundings or our weakness, God wants to use us to serve others. We should be thankful in all circumstances because God purposefully and strategically places us in situations to do His will. After all, we serve a God who walked on water and calmed the winds and waves with just His voice. What do we have to fear?

    Jeremiah Bang [FLBC junior] is from Lakeville, Minn.

    • Share:
    FLBC
    FLBC

    Previous post

    Thankful in All Circumstances
    October 2, 2020

    Next post

    The Gospel Goes Forth
    October 2, 2020

    Bible College

    • FLBC
    • Academics
    • Student Life
    • Admissions
    • Tuition & Aid
    • After FLBC

    Seminary

    • About
    • Academics
    • Admissions

    About Us

    • Mission and Objectives
    • Our Beliefs
    • History
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Accreditation
    • Assessments
    • Campus & Location
    • Library
    • Request Info
    • Visit Us
    • Apply Now

    Calendar Links

    • ical Feed Instructions
    • Academic Calendar
    • Chapel Services
    • Basketball Schedule
    • Event List

    Resources

    • Resources-Blogs

    Contact

    logo

    (763) 544-9501

    FLBC: flbc@flbc.edu

    FLS: fls@flbc.edu

    Quick Links

    • Live Stream
    • Chapel
    • Basketball Schedule
    • Prayer Updates
    • Summer Teams
    • Gospel Teams
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Service Opportunities
    • About the AFLC
    • Post a Job Opportunity

    FLBC Schools

    • Mission and Objectives
    • Our Beliefs
    • History
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Accreditation
    • Assessments
    • Campus & Location
    • Library

    Forms

    • Apply
    • Transcript Request
    • Donate
    • Make a Payment

    Find Us

    Free Lutheran Bible College & Seminary
    3134 E. Medicine Lake Blvd
    Plymouth, MN 55441-3008

    © COPYRIGHT 2021 FREE LUTHERAN BIBLE COLLEGE

    • Privacy
    Login
    [miniorange_social_login shape="longbuttonwithtext" theme="default" space="4" width="240" height="40"]

    Login with your site account

    Lost your password?