His back is hunched, and he walks with a cane, but his many years of spiritual shepherding are evidence that he leans on God—the source of his strength. In 1993, the Reverend William Barber was diagnosed with a debilitating disease that causes the vertebrae of the spine to fuse together. In a not-so-subtle way, he was told, “Barber, you probably going to need to figure out another thing to do besides pastoring, because the church won’t want someone disabled to be their pastor.” But Barber overcame that hurtful comment. God has not only used him as a pastor, but he’s also been a powerful, respected voice for underserved and marginalised people.
Though the world may not fully know what to do with those with disabilities, God does. Those who value beauty and brawn and things that money can buy may miss the good that accompanies uninvited brokenness. The rhetorical question of James and the principle underneath it are worth considering: “Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?” (James 2:5). When our health or strength or other things are reduced, our faith needn’t follow suit. By God’s strength, it can be the opposite. Our lack can be a catalyst to trust Him. Our brokenness can be used by Him to bring good to our world.
By Arthur Jackson
REFLECT & PRAY
In what ways are you weak or broken? How can your weakness be used as an asset to encourage others?
Father, please help me to bring You honour despite my weaknesses.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The oppression of the poor by the rich is a miscarriage of justice in every society. James warns of the sins of favouring the rich and discriminating against the poor. To avoid such sins, he tells us to “keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ ” (2:8, quoting Leviticus 19:18). The royal law warns of perverting justice based on socioeconomic status: “Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favouritism to the great, but judge your neighbour fairly” (Leviticus 19:15 ). Our perfectly impartial God doesn’t show favouritism: “He defends . . . the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner . . . giving them food and clothing” (Deuteronomy 10:18). James reminds us: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (James 1:27).
K. T. Sim
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