What’s
Your Disability?
by Becci Terrill
“…for all have
sinned and fall short of the glory of God…”
Romans 3:23 (NIV)
Romans 3:23 (NIV)
“What’s
your disability?” the man behind the table asked. His query caught me off guard.
My disability? Hmm… I’d never thought about that before.
The
question haunted me. I was attending a conference to learn how to minister to
people with disabilities, but had been challenged about my own disabilities
instead.
The
word “disability,” in simplest form, means not able to do something. We all
have things we are not able to do. One disability we all share is sin. Because
of sin, none are able to attain heaven on our own because “all have sinned and
fall short of the glory of God.”
Each
of us is broken.
Thankfully,
God did not leave us in this state of disability! In Romans 5:8 it says, “But
God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.” And John 3:16 says, “…whoever believes in Him should not
perish but have everlasting life.”
Jesus
makes us whole.
That
doesn’t mean that disabilities disappear. Physical, mental and emotional
difficulties are not the result of a cruel God, but rather a loving Father who
has a plan and a purpose for each of us.
In
John 9, Jesus is confronted with a man who was born blind and asked who had
sinned to cause his disability - - the man or his parents. Jesus responds that this
man was created with a disability so that God could be glorified in him.
God
wants to use our brokenness for His glory!
Dr.
Charles Ware said, “The cross is where
disabilities and opportunities meet.”
Because we are His children, God wants to use our disabilities and
brokenness to bring glory to Him. When I am discouraged because I am “not able”
to do something, the Spirit gently reminds me of verses like:
- 2 Corinthians 12:10: “for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (NIV)
- Matthew 19:26: “with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (NIV)
- Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (NIV)
We
are God’s masterpiece.
It’s
easy to dwell on my brokenness and disabilities instead of focusing on God and
the work that He wants to do in and through me. Yes, I am broken and disabled,
but I am also His beloved child, a masterpiece, with good works to do before He
calls me home. (Ephesians 2:10)
May
each of us delight in this truth!
GOING
DEEPER:
1.
What’s your disability? How might God use this to glorify Him?
2.
Consider reading Joni, an autobiography by Joni Eareckson Tada. Her life with
disabilities will inspire you!
FURTHER
READING:
Becci Terrill is a
wife and mom to two adult daughters. She is the Children’s Ministry Director at
Oakwood Church.
