Life has a way of revealing our imperfections, whether we’re ready to face them or not. Yet, in a divine twist of grace, God specialises in turning those very flaws into His greatest showcases of glory.

The Apostle Paul knew this firsthand. In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, he speaks of a thorn in his flesh—an unchanging weakness that he begged God to remove. But God’s answer wasn’t what Paul expected: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

This response flipped Paul’s perspective, leading him to declare, “When I am weak, then I am strong.” His flaw had become the feature—a vessel for Christ’s power.

This paradox is a recurring theme in Scripture. God uses flawed people to accomplish extraordinary things. Hebrews 11 lists heroes of faith—Gideon, Samson, David—whose weaknesses were turned into strengths by God’s intervention. In 1 Corinthians 1:27, Paul reminds us that God “chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” Why? So His power and glory shine through, leaving no room for human boasting.

The Leaning Tower: A Modern Parable

The Leaning Tower of Pisa offers a striking illustration of this truth. When construction began in 1173, its architects envisioned a grand bell tower to complement the surrounding cathedral. But due to unstable soil, the tower began to tilt—a flaw that embarrassed its builders. Over centuries, despite attempts to stabilize it, the lean became more pronounced.

Today, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is an iconic landmark. Tourists from around the world flock to Pisa to pose with it, celebrate it, and marvel at its resilience. The flaw that once seemed like a failure transformed the structure into a symbol of strength and beauty. The tower’s imperfection became its defining feature.

Our "Leans" in God’s Hands

Like the Leaning Tower, each of us has a “lean”—a weakness, imperfection, or struggle that we often try to hide. It could be a past mistake, a current limitation, or an ongoing challenge. Yet, just as the Tower still stands, so do we, sustained by God’s grace.

Paul’s thorn in the flesh wasn’t a sin or character flaw he could fix; it was an unchangeable limitation. Similarly, our “lean” isn’t something to excuse or deny but an opportunity for God to work.

God doesn’t just tolerate our weaknesses—He uses them. As Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us, His ways are higher than ours. While we might view our flaws as disqualifications, God sees them as instruments for His glory.

In 2 Corinthians 4:7, Paul writes, “We have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” Clay jars are fragile and imperfect, much like us. Yet God places His treasure—His Spirit—within us to demonstrate His power. Our cracks and flaws don’t diminish the treasure; they magnify it.

Broken Beyond Repair? Think Again.

Consider the story of violinist Kyle Dillingham, who created an album using broken violins. Initially, these instruments seemed beyond repair—missing strings, cracked necks, flawed beyond function. But Dillingham saw potential in their brokenness. He played them, and the resulting music was hauntingly beautiful—different from any perfectly crafted violin but uniquely resonant.

This story parallels our lives. We may feel broken, but in God’s hands, we still have a song to play. Our flaws and weaknesses don’t disqualify us; they create a unique sound that glorifies Him. Like Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 9, who sat at King David’s table despite his physical disability, we too have a place at God’s table. His grace covers our brokenness and makes us whole in His purpose.

Letting the Flaw Shine

The real challenge isn’t whether we have weaknesses—it’s what we do with them. Too often, we hide, deny, or resent our flaws. But God calls us to bring them to Him, to allow His grace to turn them into features for His glory.

Paul rejoiced in his weaknesses because they allowed the power of Christ to rest upon him. Similarly, the Leaning Tower of Pisa became famous not for its intended perfection but for its unintended lean. And like those broken violins, our flaws can create a melody that speaks to God’s redemptive power.

Don’t waste your weakness. Whatever your “lean” may be, let God use it. Your greatest ministry often flows from your deepest struggles. The pain, shame, or imperfection you want to hide may become the very testimony that encourages someone else. 

 “I’m leaning, but I’m still standing.” In your weakness, God’s strength is made perfect. And in His hands, your flaw can become your greatest feature.