Christian Crier
God has a plan. All along, and for always, He is putting into action this plan He has created. We are all given a part to play-a certain journey-and asked to do everything we can with it. For some, that journey is different. For those with a disability, the trust that God has placed upon them to bear this affliction is astounding. They were not chosen to be less than anyone. They were chosen to be stronger, braver, and, most likely, a little more compassionate than most of the world. Read on for all of the ways God has spoken to his love for and plan for those with disabilities.
Leviticus 19:14 ‘Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the Lord.
We must take care as Christians that our walk does not cause another to go astray. There are those who are, perhaps, just opening their eyes to a relationship with Christ, and when our behavior causes them to take pause, there is a possibility that they could be lost. It is important that we concentrate on walking our own path, and of not become a stumbling block or curse to those who are just beginning to see or hear for the first time.
Matthew 15:29-31 Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.
This verse highlights the heart of Jesus towards those who are disabled. His heart hurts at the sight of so many needy people. The God of the Universe aches for our pain. So he begins to heal and continues to do so, bringing Glory to His father. Whether or not we are healed in this life or the next, our pain does not go unnoticed by God. He hurts for us, but knows how quickly a time is coming where we will all stand before him and be healed, forever.
Job 29:15 I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame
Remember that the Bible says that God sees the heart. Whether physically, or spiritually blind, if we look hard enough into our darkness, we can see a light that has nothing to do with the world, and everything to do with the one who lights it up. God says that when our physical bodies do not work, He will fill in the gap. As believers, we are called to be the hands and feet to those who need us, all in the name of Jesus.
Hebrews 12:13 “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.
This verse speaks to the need to clear dangerous or rough things from our path, so that we can walk straight, without fear of losing ground to injury. When we attempt to walk with God, but allow negative or harmful things to remain in our lives, we run the risk of disabling ourselves before we can be healed.
John 9:2-7 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
Disability is never a result of falling from God’s favor, or a lack of love on His part. Any word to the contrary is against all that the Lord stands for. But God does have a plan for us all that will ultimately result in his Glory. It is our job to decipher how our lives, our bodies, and our minds, can bear witness to His grace. Whatever it is that we have been given, it has been given to show light in some way.
Luke 13: 10-15 On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.
Oh how the love and attention of Jesus can set us free. Both are always there, waiting to heal those who will come when they are called forward. If you are facing pain, struggle, or a disability, take heart-because one day soon-your call is coming.
Galatians 4:13-14 As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.
Paul’s illness was a catalyst for a great change, and a mighty work in God’s kingdom. He speaks of the tenderness he was shown during a time of illness. He is grateful that he was treated, not like a burden, but rather as a welcomed guest. Because of this treatment, he was able to share the gospel with many, and a church was born.
Conclusion
Aren’t we all afflicted in some way? We all have areas of our hearts, bodies, and minds that just don’t work the way we want them too. We believe that, quite possibly, if God knew the truth about the extent of our injuries, He would turn away in shame or disgust. But this is not the way our God operates. He sees us all as perfectly formed, beautiful beings. He “knit us together” in our mother’s womb, exactly as we were to be. He is not seeing as we see, but as the Lord only can. In His eyes, there are no disabilities, only children chosen to fulfill a different task. All He asks is that we help one another to do so.
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