Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Christian Approach to Differently able:
God is looking for Availability, not Ability.Exodus 4:12.
“Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shall say.”
According to the World Health Survey, around 785 million (15.6%) persons 15 years and older live with a disability, while the Global Burden of Disease estimates a figure of around 975 million (19.4%) persons. Of these, the World Health Survey estimates that 110 million people (2.2%) have very significant difficulties in functioning, while the Global Burden of Disease estimates that 190 million (3.8%) have “severe disability” – the equivalent of disability inferred for conditions such as quadriplegia, severe depression, or blindness. …. The number of people with disabilities is growing.” (World Health Organization’s World Report on Disability 2011
Moses a true servant of the Lord is slow of speech, and when called upon to plead for his Lord, he is in great confusion lest he should spoil a good cause by his bad advocacy. In such a case it is well to remember that the Lord made the tongue which is so slow, and we must take care that we do not blame our creator. It may be that a slow tongue is not so great an evil as a fast one, and fewness of words may be more of a blessing than floods of verbiage. It is also quite certain that real saving power does not lie in human rhetoric with its figures of speech, and pretty phrases, and grand displays. Lack of fluency is not so great a lack as it looks.
In this portion, we could see that God was looking for the availability of Mosses, not the ability. If God chooses one to do His task He will make him able to carry out that task. If God is with our mouths and with our minds, we shall have something better than the sounding brass of eloquence or the tinkling cymbal of persuasion. God’s teaching is wisdom; His presence is power. Pharaoh had more reason to be afraid of stammering Moses than of the most fluent talker in Egypt, for what he said had power in it; he spoke plagues and deaths. If the Lord be with one he can overcome the disabilities that he has and God equipped him with His mighty power.
I think Moses would testify to us that God does not accept excuses. God wants what is in your hand, no matter how much you lean upon it. More, God wants your hand, indeed, all of you, including your social life and all of your life experiences.
What does God want to do with your tools, your hand, and your very person? What did God want to do with Moses? Nothing less than to show the world that God is God! And in the process, to set suffering people free from the rule of bogus gods. What an awesome (though costly) calling! And God won't take no for an answer. What is our attitude or approach towards the differently able person? Do we have the same approach that God has towards them?
We recognize and affirm the full humanity and personhood of all individuals with mental, physical, developmental, neurological, and psychological conditions or disabilities as full members of the family of God. We also affirm their rightful place in both the Church and society. We affirm the responsibility of the Church and society to be in ministry with children, youth, and adults with mental, physical, developmental, and/or psychological and neurological conditions or disabilities whose particular needs in the area of mobility, communication, intellectual comprehension, or personal relationships might make more challenging their participation or that of their families in the life of the Church and the community. We urge the Church and society to recognize and receive the gifts of persons with disabilities to enable them to be full participants in the community of faith. We call the Church and society to be sensitive to and advocate for, programs of rehabilitation, services, employment, education, appropriate housing, and transportation. We call on the Church and society to protect the civil rights of persons with all types and kinds of disabilities.
Jesus used the fishermen to carry out His ministry in this world. He did not look for their ability or education but ask for their availability. Even now He is looking for the availability of people for the extension of His kingdom in this world. Are we ready to accept the call or do we have different excuses?
Moses a true servant of the Lord is slow of speech, and when called upon to plead for his Lord, he is in great confusion lest he should spoil a good cause by his bad advocacy. In such a case it is well to remember that the Lord made the tongue which is so slow, and we must take care that we do not blame our creator. It may be that a slow tongue is not so great an evil as a fast one, and fewness of words may be more of a blessing than floods of verbiage. It is also quite certain that real saving power does not lie in human rhetoric with its figures of speech, and pretty phrases, and grand displays. Lack of fluency is not so great a lack as it looks.
In this portion, we could see that God was looking for the availability of Mosses, not the ability. If God chooses one to do His task He will make him able to carry out that task. If God is with our mouths and with our minds, we shall have something better than the sounding brass of eloquence or the tinkling cymbal of persuasion. God’s teaching is wisdom; His presence is power. Pharaoh had more reason to be afraid of stammering Moses than of the most fluent talker in Egypt, for what he said had power in it; he spoke plagues and deaths. If the Lord be with one he can overcome the disabilities that he has and God equipped him with His mighty power.
I think Moses would testify to us that God does not accept excuses. God wants what is in your hand, no matter how much you lean upon it. More, God wants your hand, indeed, all of you, including your social life and all of your life experiences.
What does God want to do with your tools, your hand, and your very person? What did God want to do with Moses? Nothing less than to show the world that God is God! And in the process, to set suffering people free from the rule of bogus gods. What an awesome (though costly) calling! And God won't take no for an answer. What is our attitude or approach towards the differently able person? Do we have the same approach that God has towards them?
We recognize and affirm the full humanity and personhood of all individuals with mental, physical, developmental, neurological, and psychological conditions or disabilities as full members of the family of God. We also affirm their rightful place in both the Church and society. We affirm the responsibility of the Church and society to be in ministry with children, youth, and adults with mental, physical, developmental, and/or psychological and neurological conditions or disabilities whose particular needs in the area of mobility, communication, intellectual comprehension, or personal relationships might make more challenging their participation or that of their families in the life of the Church and the community. We urge the Church and society to recognize and receive the gifts of persons with disabilities to enable them to be full participants in the community of faith. We call the Church and society to be sensitive to and advocate for, programs of rehabilitation, services, employment, education, appropriate housing, and transportation. We call on the Church and society to protect the civil rights of persons with all types and kinds of disabilities.
Jesus used the fishermen to carry out His ministry in this world. He did not look for their ability or education but ask for their availability. Even now He is looking for the availability of people for the extension of His kingdom in this world. Are we ready to accept the call or do we have different excuses?
Prayer
O God thanks for your call and for equipping us with your presence and power. Enable us to see your presence and Power. In Jesus name, we pray, Amen
Thought of the day
” Whom shall I send, and who shall go for me” (Isaiah 5:8)
P. T. Mathew
Mar Thoma Church o Dallas, Farmers
O God thanks for your call and for equipping us with your presence and power. Enable us to see your presence and Power. In Jesus name, we pray, Amen
Thought of the day
” Whom shall I send, and who shall go for me” (Isaiah 5:8)
P. T. Mathew
Mar Thoma Church o Dallas, Farmers