WWJD By Dr. Richard Youngblood
Question: I have a friend who was very active in Christian service in
his church and community until an accident left him handicapped. He still wants to help others and feels bad
about his limitations. How can I encourage
him?
It can be very difficult for people who have been
active in Christian service to adjust to a more limited role. However, the person who is facing such a
challenge can be encouraged by considering the example of the apostle
Paul. I am reminded of a statement that
he wrote, “I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my
chains” (Colossians 4:18). After years of active service, Paul was a
prisoner in Rome awaiting trial before Caesar.
Being chained to a Roman soldier placed limitations upon this once
energetic man who had been traveling and preaching the good news of Jesus. His request that they remember his chains was
not only a request for prayers, but also an appeal for understanding. He could not come to them or even write to
them as freely as he wanted.
Like Paul, we all have limitations of some
kind. Some people, like your friend,
have physical handicaps or illnesses that place limitations upon what they can
do. Others are limited by being too
young or too old to do some things they would like to do. The list of things that can limit us is endless. Examples would include lacking skills, the
training or financial resources, as well as being single or having family and
job responsibilities. People react in
different ways to these realities. Some
feel guilty. Others are unhappy or angry. Still others acknowledge their limitations
and live as faithful Christians who serve even through their handicaps.
By mentioning his chains, Paul demonstrated that he
saw no disgrace in his limitations. He
was not in prison because he did something wrong but because he did something
right. He preached the good news of
Jesus Christ. It would be wonderful if each
of us could be more active in Christian service, but there are always limiting
factors.
In addition, Paul’s chains did not prevent him from
being useful in Christian service. In
another letter from prison, Paul wrote: “Now I want you to know, brothers,
that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout
the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for
Christ. Because of my chains, most of
the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more
courageously and fearlessly” (Philippians
1:12-14). Paul was not where he wanted
to be, but God had a plan that used him right where he was. Your friend may not be able to do what he
formerly did; but by faith in the goodness and wisdom of God, he can still
serve to the glory of God.
Neither did Paul allow his chains to mar his
happiness. He sang hymns in prison (Acts
16:25) and wrote his most positive letter from prison, saying, “Rejoice
in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). This kind of joy
is found in a relationship with the Lord, a relationship that can never be
limited by any handicap this world may bring.
Finally, Paul knew that his eternal hope was not
limited by his chains. Success in the
eyes of God is not measured in the way we humans measure success. All our Lord God has ever asked of us is that
we do what we can with what we have right where we are (Mark 14:9; Luke 12:48;
1 Corinthians 8:12). Tell your friend
that the Lord knows his handicaps and understands his limitations. He also knows his heart. That is what is important to our God of grace
and mercy.
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