Raise your hand if you have ever had to be in a wheelchair for an extensive period of time. OK, you can put you hand down now. In case you can’t see me right now, I just raised my hand. For the first time in my life (other than playing with my friend’s wheelchair at the skatepark) I am using a wheelchair. I am really grateful that I am not fully wheelchair bound per se, as I also use crutches, but I do use the wheelchair because it is a pretty good way of getting around. And life seated really isn’t too terrible. In reality, all it is is just a different perspective. I have always been the tall guy, forcing people to look up my nose to have a conversation, and now I am in their spot. I have always been the one who has striven to be independent and self-reliant, but now I have a hard time opening a single door (unless there is a button to push of course). As one could say with most things, it is a learning experience.
One thing I love about God is that he uses everything to show us his glory. And I mean everything. He uses good things, bad things, sad things. Hard things, easy things, mediocre things. Fun things, awkward things, and even wheeled things. Victories, defeats, and stalemates all belong to our Father because he is Lord over all. He is the greatest transforming agent in the universe. I mean, just look at the cross: nobody expected the guy who just had his hands, feet and side pierced to be walking around preaching and praising God in a few days. And this same God who transformed death to life at the cross is looking to do that with you. If we claim to truly follow Christ, let us follow him in taking up our crosses, being buried and being raised up to a fuller life. Matthew 16:24-26 says this:
“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?'”
Next time you have a bad day, just think about the opportunity to learn. Next time you fail a test, think about the opportunity to learn. Next time you go down a slip-n-slide with a friend on your back and demolish your knee, think about the opportunity to learn. Be grateful for the roadblocks in your path: It is just one of the ways that the Lord will teach you, showing you his brilliant glory and how to be dependent upon him.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” James 1:2 – 4.
