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.
