Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Christian approach to differently-abled
Acts 3:4-6“Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, ‘Look at us.’ And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, ‘I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.’
Disability entered the world with sin and suffering in the Garden of Eden. But God in His good pleasure holds disability like a tool in His mighty hands to shape men and women into the image of Christ. Through it, we grow as individuals and churches. We will also recognize that it is one more way that God brings glory to Himself. Joni Eareckson Tada ( evangelical Christian author, radio host, and founder of Joni and Friends, an organization "accelerating Christian ministry in the disability community") suffered a diving accident as a teenager, and for the past five decades, she has lived as a quadriplegic. In her booklet Hope-the Best of Things, Joni imagines meeting Jesus in heaven and speaking to Him about her wheelchair: “The weaker I was in that thing [my wheelchair], the harder I leaned on you. And the harder I leaned on you, the stronger I discovered you to be. It never would have happened had you not given me the bruising of the blessing of that wheelchair”.
Throughout Jesus’ brief three-year earthly mission, He encountered many people with disabilities. He ministered to them as if they were at the top of his priority list. God has entrusted a unique ministry to each of us, especially those with disabilities.
People with disabilities are uniquely gifted and can minister to others in amazing ways. They can minister more effectively than their sisters and brothers in Christ who do not have disabilities. Their physical or mental disability, in God’s hands, becomes a ministry blessing.
People with disabilities have unique and valuable insights into human suffering. Because they constantly deal with limitations, discomfort, and pain, they do so better than the rest of us. They learn to live with suffering.
Because people with disabilities understand what it means to be mistreated, brushed off, or simply ignored, they also have a heightened awareness of others in need and their feelings.
Christians with disabilities walk closely with God because they need to rely on the Lord to endure their challenges in life far more than others of us. In their moments of physical pain, frustration, and isolation, they learn how to look to God and find Him ready to receive them in their disability.
In today's portion for meditation Acts 3:1-10, Peter and John were entering the gate of the temple called “the Beautiful Gate” when they encountered a man born unable to walk. The layout of the temple included, from outside: the court for Gentiles, court for women, court for ritually pure Jewish men, court for priests, the court for burnt offerings, and the temple building. If the man was left at the Beautiful Gate, it meant, due to his disability, he lacked access to any court beyond that of the Gentiles (the outermost court). When they healed his legs, they also gave him, for the first time, inclusion into the inner courts of the temple. For the first time in the man’s life, he entered the inner court as an equal (to those also allowed in the inner courts). It’s no wonder he entered the temple “walking and leaping and praising God.” He was no longer an outcast. He was invited in.
Often healing comes when we are invited in. Anyone who’s been excluded knows how devastating that isolation can be. We were created to be in healthy relationships. When we are outcasts, we are damaged and in need of healing. Peter and John gave the man more than physical healing—they gave him a community. We don’t need the power of healing to give the gift of community. We have it within us to create community through our hospitality, generosity, and gratitude for others- and this should be our Christian approach to the differently-abled.
Throughout Jesus’ brief three-year earthly mission, He encountered many people with disabilities. He ministered to them as if they were at the top of his priority list. God has entrusted a unique ministry to each of us, especially those with disabilities.
People with disabilities are uniquely gifted and can minister to others in amazing ways. They can minister more effectively than their sisters and brothers in Christ who do not have disabilities. Their physical or mental disability, in God’s hands, becomes a ministry blessing.
People with disabilities have unique and valuable insights into human suffering. Because they constantly deal with limitations, discomfort, and pain, they do so better than the rest of us. They learn to live with suffering.
Because people with disabilities understand what it means to be mistreated, brushed off, or simply ignored, they also have a heightened awareness of others in need and their feelings.
Christians with disabilities walk closely with God because they need to rely on the Lord to endure their challenges in life far more than others of us. In their moments of physical pain, frustration, and isolation, they learn how to look to God and find Him ready to receive them in their disability.
In today's portion for meditation Acts 3:1-10, Peter and John were entering the gate of the temple called “the Beautiful Gate” when they encountered a man born unable to walk. The layout of the temple included, from outside: the court for Gentiles, court for women, court for ritually pure Jewish men, court for priests, the court for burnt offerings, and the temple building. If the man was left at the Beautiful Gate, it meant, due to his disability, he lacked access to any court beyond that of the Gentiles (the outermost court). When they healed his legs, they also gave him, for the first time, inclusion into the inner courts of the temple. For the first time in the man’s life, he entered the inner court as an equal (to those also allowed in the inner courts). It’s no wonder he entered the temple “walking and leaping and praising God.” He was no longer an outcast. He was invited in.
Often healing comes when we are invited in. Anyone who’s been excluded knows how devastating that isolation can be. We were created to be in healthy relationships. When we are outcasts, we are damaged and in need of healing. Peter and John gave the man more than physical healing—they gave him a community. We don’t need the power of healing to give the gift of community. We have it within us to create community through our hospitality, generosity, and gratitude for others- and this should be our Christian approach to the differently-abled.
Prayer
Lord, give us the grace to be hospitable and generous with our brothers and sisters with disabilities. Help us remember that we are all fragile and need one another
Thought of the day
“Maybe the truly handicapped people are the ones that don't need God as much.” - Joni Eareckson Tada
Anila Mariam Thomas
Lord, give us the grace to be hospitable and generous with our brothers and sisters with disabilities. Help us remember that we are all fragile and need one another
Thought of the day
“Maybe the truly handicapped people are the ones that don't need God as much.” - Joni Eareckson Tada
Anila Mariam Thomas