58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.- 1 Corinthians 15:58

So, this is the 4th part in my blog posts about the Resurrection. I want to  address this one to people with disabilities or anyone who is facing hard circumstances.  In the disability community there is  a unhealthy sense of Pride that is unwilling to submit to God. There are people believing a lie that God is not in love with them because their not “normal” or “whole”. I plead with my friends not to waste their disability, or circumstances. God wants to be in a relationship with you as a loving Father who is crying out to you come as you are. The hope of the life we will have with him free from pain or tough times should energize us to serve him with our disability.

9:1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.-John 9:1-3

   God does not waste suffering. He does not waste disability. He will get glory in our circumstances if we are willing to let him move. To the Christian who is disabled I say don’t give up, your labor is not in vain. Jesus is Coming! Your circumstances do not have the last word. God does.

16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self  is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.-1 Corinthians 4:16-18

  We will face things in this life that will be heart breaking, but keep your eyes on the promise that is coming. To my friends who are disabled and don’t know Christ I plead with you to rebel against pride and come to God who can give you can help you make sense of your life. Flee bitterness! As a advocate I fight for the rights of myself and others with disabilities because the Lord wants us to seek Justice, but there are people in the disability community that are encouraging people away from God by things they say. God is not against us. But just because we are disabled he will not give us a pass because we our disabled. If we persevere in our disability in this life to just end up in hell is stupid,if not sad. Hell is a life separated from God forever. It does not have to be that way. Christ’s work on the cross reconciled all people to God. We just need to accept it. Make Jesus your Lord, Saviour, and treasure. He won’t fail you. I know I’m not going to win fans in the disability rights movement by talking about Jesus, but I find it more important for people to know Jesus. So disability advocate I say to you keep fighting against nursing homes, against discrimination, and continue the struggle to the glory of God.

At the resurrection my cerebral palsied body will be raised and reunited with my spirit leaving cp, pain, and sin behind. I will be free to worship Jesus with a pure heart with hands held high. My voice won’t no longer be slurred as I clearly sing my Lord’s Name. The joy of a new body is the joy of being able to fully worship with all that we will be to his glory. My greatest hope is I won’t have sin battling me for my devotion in the resurrection. Not having cp is a bonus. People because the hardness of their hearts will twist my words but God is good, and I can’t be silent about the hope that is in God.

23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.- Luke 9:23-26

 If we suceed in keeping people with disabilities out of nursing homes, make all places accessible, and gain true equal rights in America but have not known Jesus, it will be wasted. He is bringing a kingdom where there is no nursing homes, no need for cancer doctors, no broken homes because of divorce, and true freedom. Will you be there?