One of the hardest things about cross-cultural ministry is realizing how incapable we are.

We often feel weak and out of our depth. How do I navigate the unspoken rules of this new culture? How do I honor values I don’t understand? How do I communicate spiritual needs to someone who sees me as an outsider?

Sometimes the goal is nothing short of miraculous.

We long to have the weaknesses removed: God, help me master the language. God, help me master this culture.

When Paul the apostle struggled with a weakness he wanted removed from his life, God told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

What is this grace that suffices? Who is this God who would want His followers to be weak and dependent?

This grace, this unmerited favor, is an all-powerful God turning His smiling face upon us and granting us His favor. This is the good and perfect Father placing His hand upon our cheek and saying, “You don’t have to, my child, because I can and will.”

When we face a task that we have the capacity to do, it’s easy to rely on our own knowledge, strength, will-power, and resources. When we know we can’t do it or feel out of our depth, we are more likely to depend on someone else.

I imagine my child’s wonder as I easily untangle a knotted shoelace after his numerous attempts only made the knot worse. There are no cross-cultural challenges for God, and I believe the Father delights in making the miraculous happen. Cross-cultural ministry is an ultimate arena to display the grace of God in our weaknesses. His power – His ability to cross all barriers to speak to the deep longings of a broken nature – can be on full display.

His unmerited favor toward us – this ability and permission and invitation to simply rely on His unlimited power and wisdom – truly is sufficient. And beyond sufficient – it is a gift to the one who relies on the Father and sees the miraculous happen.