阅读经文 

在阿巴拉契亚山道上，我在弗吉尼亚州的弗特罗亚尔（Front Royal）停下来购买补给品，然后享用了一顿美味的早餐——涂着枫叶糖浆的荞麦煎饼。在地上睡了好几个晚上之后，前一天晚上能够睡在床上让我感觉很奢侈。

然而，使徒保罗在他传耶稣福音的路上经历了更多的艰辛。保罗被呼召向外邦人作见证，（参徒 9:15-16）他去了无数的地方，经常都是步行。他的许多旅程不仅路途坎坷，而且还经常遭到怀有敌意的人的攻击。有时他被殴打，鞭打，甚至被石头打。他三次遭遇船坏，又被下在监里。有几次他几乎性命不保。（参徒 13-28；林后 11-12）

在所有耶稣的门徒和追随者中，保罗在他的诸多旅程中遭受的痛苦可能是最多的。但他却以自己的软弱夸口，为要显明耶稣的大能。他最终在基督里可以夸口，基督为他和为我们多受痛苦。我们自己的苦难也显明了我们的软弱，这使我们更靠近耶稣——因祂是我们的救主和我们的力量。

After stopping for supplies in Front Royal, Virginia, along the Appalachian Trail, I enjoyed a delicious breakfast of buckwheat pancakes smothered in maple syrup. And sleeping in a bed the night before had felt luxurious after many nights of sleeping on the ground.

The apostle Paul had known many more hardships, however, in his travels to spread the good news of Jesus. Called to be a witness to the Gentiles, (see Acts 9:15-16) Paul traveled to countless destinations, often on foot. And not only were many of his journeys rough, but he also frequently suffered at the hands of hostile people. At times he was beaten, flogged, and even pelted with stones. He was shipwrecked three times, and he was thrown into prison. Several times he had to flee for his life. (see Acts 13-28 and 2 Corinthians 11-12)

Of all of Jesus’ disciples and followers, Paul may have suffered the most on his many journeys. Yet he boasted in his weakness so that the power of Jesus could be revealed. Ultimately he boasted in Christ, who suffered so much more for him and for us. Our own hardships too reveal the weakness that brings us closer to Jesus——our Savior and our strength.