“Disabilities, Friends With Special Needs”

More than anything else, disabled people need friends – acquaintances, casual, close, or especially intimate. Truth is, no matter what form of impairment the disabled person has, they need friends who give unconditional love.

“Science may have found a cure for most evils; but it has found no remedy for the worst of them all – the apathy of human beings” (Helen Keller). The word “Apathy” is defined as a, “Lack of interest or enthusiasm.” However, its Greek Origin “Apatheia” Literally Means “Without Feeling”. That’s something to think about. Have you treated the disabled without feeling and yet claim to be a believer who’s evidence of faith is based on the very foundation of love?   

“Let Me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are My disciples – when they see the love you have for each other” (John 13:35 MSG) 

“But if we say we love God and don’t love each other, we are liars. We cannot see God. So how can we love God, if we don’t love the people we can see?” (1 John 4:20 CEV)

The unconditional love, faith, creativity, and commitment of friends is what helped a paralyzed man experience the healing power of Jesus. Four concerned friends cared enough to take their disabled friend to see Jesus: (Mark 2:1-12, “Jesus went back to Capernaum, and a few days later people heard that he was at home. Then so many of them came to the house that there wasn’t even standing room left in front of the door. Jesus was still teaching when four people came up, carrying a crippled man on a mat. But because of the crowd, they could not get him to Jesus. So they made a hole in the roof above him and let the man down in front of everyone. When Jesus saw how much faith they had, he said to the crippled man, “My friend, your sins are forgiven.” Some of the teachers of the Law of Moses were sitting there. They started wondering,  “Why would he say such a thing? He must think he is God! Only God can forgive sins.” Right away, Jesus knew what they were thinking, and he said, “Why are you thinking such things?  Is it easier for me to tell this crippled man that his sins are forgiven or to tell him to get up and pick up his mat and go on home? I will show you that the Son of Man has the right to forgive sins here on earth.” So Jesus said to the man,  “Get up! Pick up your mat and go on home.” The man got right up. He picked up his mat and went out while everyone watched in amazement. They praised God and said, “We have never seen anything like this!” CEV). (See also Luke 5:17-26 and Matthew 9:1-8)

Sidebar: Did you notice Jesus Called the Crippled/Disabled Man...FRIEND???

After overcoming a seemingly insurmountable hurdle, the friends laid the paralytic at the feet of Jesus. When Jesus healed the man, He took special note of the faith exhibited by the man’s four companions.

“Being disabled should not mean being disqualified from having access to every aspect of life” (Emma Thompson)

“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see” (Mark Twain)

Now if you were in those same shoes, can you honestly say you love your disabled friend or family member unconditionally to the point where you would tear up the roof just to get them to Jesus? Be careful how you answer this because if the truth be told, if we really loved our friends and family this much, disabled or able-bodied, so many of them would not have a Currently Reserved Seat In Hell! Can you imagine if we approached Outreach and Evangelism like these four men did? Where we would go to any extent to get a person to Jesus?! Just a thought!

In case you didn’t know, the disabled person needs friends who give more comfort than advice! 

Friends should continue giving of self despite barriers – architectural or attitudinal – involving persons with disabilities in activities and in ministry. 

In addition, they should integrate people with impairments with the able-bodied in worship services! 

I’ve watched, unfortunately, very few disabled persons being accounted among the leadership staff of their own churches where they serve faithfully! However, who is to say that a disabled person cannot lead?  

Pastor Doris Williams is a dear friend that I respect highly! Her church is a thriving ministry and what makes it stand out from many is that on each auxiliary in her church, a disabled person is among the leadership staff! I love her church because as soon as you arrive, the Head of the Usher Board Sister Macy Linwood, greets you with a Huge Smile and a Big Hug! That may not sound like much to you, but you see Macy has Downs Syndrome, and yet she’s looked to as the head honcho who makes all the decisions for the Usher Board Unit! Brother Charles Craig loves to sing, every Sunday, the same song: “I’ve been running for Jesus for a long time, and I’m not tired yet”. That may not sound all that interesting, but you see Brother Charles was born without legs, and yet that is his faithful song every Sunday! In other words, you have to be careful in who you think is disabled and therefore of no use!

“Limited Ability Does Not Mean Incompetent!”

Pastors, include Every Member In the Body of Christ in His Service! None of us is perfect and we never will be this side of Heaven! Even “Able-Bodies” have Imperfections and Limitations! Therefore, take time out to Re-Examine your congregation, and yes, even your leadership staff and make sure that ALL MEMBERS ARE FUNCTIONING REGARDLESS OF LIMITATIONS!

It’s also Very Important to Evangelize the Disabled! Do you know that many disabled don’t know Jesus because we assume they can’t grasp it or understand the Gospel!  Listen, I don’t care what you may think their “impairment” is,  We, The Church, The Body of Christ, Have Been Charged to Take the Gospel EVERYWHERE…TO EVERYONE…AND YES THAT INCLUDES THE DISABLED!

THE BIBLE SAYS:

“And they went out and PREACHED EVERYWHERE, while the Lord kept working with them and confirming the message by the attesting signs and miracles that closely accompanied [it]. Amen (so be it)” (Mark 16:20 AMP)

“Go then and make disciples of ALL THE NATIONS, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. Amen (so let it be)” (Matthew 28:19-20 AMP)

“But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses IN JERUSALEM AND ALL JUDEA AND SAMARIA AND TO THE ENDS (THE VERY BOUNDS) OF THE EARTH” (Acts 1:8 AMP)

“There Is No Exclusion To the Inclusive of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Salvation Is Not Selective!”

Have the attitude, “If I don’t reach out to this individual with the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ In Love, Who Will?”

Therefore, it’s high time you look past the gizmos, gadgets, and electrical wizardy to get to know the individual as a person! 

“The disabled person has a name and their disability has a name, however, those names are not synonymous!”

Tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, and longsuffering are essential to friendship with a disabled person. However, able-bodied Christians are also challenged to rise above all these obstacles and “…put on love…” (Colossians 3:12-14).  “Clothe yourselves therefore, as God’s own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), [who are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper]. Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive]. And above all these [put on] love and enfold yourselves with the bond of perfectness [which binds everything together completely in ideal harmony].” AMP)

Unconditional Love Overlooks Physical, Emotional or Mental Handicaps and Focuses On the True Person, Who Is a Special Object of God’s Care and Concern.

An intimate relationship with a disabled friend or family member can be a special way to discover what real love is all about!

In closing, amidst national unrest and personal tragedy, Ruth and Naomi developed a deep, lasting friendship that embodied God’s Love. 

The Hebrew Word “Chesed” means “Lovingkindness” and describes a relationship bound together by love, loyalty, and commitment. Naomi prayed for God’s “Chesed” toward her devoted daughter-in-law (Ruth 1:8, “…May the Lord deal KINDLY with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me” (AMP); Naomi praised God for His “Chesed” (Ruth 2:20, “…Blessed be he of the Lord who has not ceased his KINDNESS to the living and to the dead…” AMP); and Boaz praised Ruth for her “Chesed” (Ruth 3:10, “And he said, Blessed be you of the Lord, my daughter, For you have made this last LOVING-KINDNESS greater than the former…” AMP)

Friendships that last are built on “Chesed” – Unconditional Love, Undying Loyalty, and Unending Commitment!

Christians  are called to build lasting friendships that will endure throughout life and extend into eternity! 

Ruth, whose name means “Friendship” became Naomi’s Forever Friend (Ruth 1:16-17, “And Ruth said, Urge me not to leave you or to turn back from following you; for where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts me from you” AMP).

Other examples of Devoted Friendships are embodied by David and Jonathan in the Old Testament (1 Samuel 18:1-3, “When David had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own life. Saul took David that day and would not let him return to his father’s house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own life.” AMP) and a New Testament example is that of Elizabeth and Mary (Luke 1:39-56).

In other words, from Cover to Cover of the Bible Are Wonderful Examples of Covenant Friendships Based On “Chesed”. Therefore, Let Us As Believers Exemplify This Behavior Knowing That Whether a Person is Able-Bodied or Disabled…Is Irrelevant!

“Even the Word Disability Has Ability In It”

And did you know that the word “Disability” means “a physical or mental condition that limits a person’s movements, senses, or activities”? Did you catch that? A Disability ONLY Limits! It Does Not Stop! So before you treat a disabled person as though they can do absolutely nothing worthwhile in life, do your research and even check your dictionary! You will be amazed at the ability of many “disabled persons”! They may not be able to do all you can, but they are not prevented from doing it all either! It may be a little different than you, even a little slower than you…But Never Under-Estimate The Ability of Someone’s Disability When They Are Determined NOT To Let It Stop Them!

God's House is to be a House for All Nations, and we should see His House look like that. But far too often, we still see 'black churches' for example, and this should not be. We should evangelize the land in such a way that there is NO ethnicity that is ABSENT from the House of God! God's House Should Look Like a House of ALL Nations! And beyond ethnicity, we should also see people from every walk of life regardless to what their 'handicap; disability; impairment or limitation' may be. Therefore, I challenge you, in your next evangelistic planning session, include ways of reaching people you don't see from week-to-week in your congregation. Most people deem their own church as special, but if you have no 'special needs' people in it, how special can it really be?! 

It's vital that we the church meet people at whatever level they are on, and minister to them accordingly. Even if you have to take one Sunday a month or quarterly and alter your service for special needs individuals, do that! Jesus met the needs of people from every walk of life, and if we are His disciples who are assigned to carry on His work, shouldn't we do the same?! 

If the church is indeed filled with the power we say it is, shouldn't it be the place where the blind, deaf, cripple, and mute should be found? I mean what's the point of saying 'by His stripes we are healed' and yet we never bring in those who need healing?! 

Shouldn't we have those included in our congregations who are wheel-chair bound? Those who have to use canes, crutches, and walkers, shouldn't they be apart of our worship service? Those who have come back from war and they're struggling to readjust to society, shouldn't we be welcoming arms extended to embrace them? Those who battle with life and death diseases, chemo, radiation, dialysis, and the like, shouldn't they know that we have a chair just waiting for them? Even if they have to come in slow, even if they're tired, cranky, in pain, shouldn't we still have a friendly smile letting them know that we've been waiting all week just to see them? You see, disabilities come in so many forms, and it's not our job to define, diagnose or fix them, it's our job to do what Jesus did for us, shower them with unconditional love. 

There are so many people who don't come to church because they don't look the part, dress the part, act the part, do we really want to give them reason to believe that it's true?

Today, I challenge you to lay out a welcome mat in front of the doors of your church, and let people know from all walks of life, that they are indeed welcome. Share with them the flaws and imperfections on the inside of your church so they know there is no 'perfection' requirement they must attain before entrance.

You know for yourselves the misfits Jesus had as Apostles, and yet He didn't dismiss or exclude not a one of them. And truth is, Jesus still has a bunch of misfits as disciples and yet He keeps us employed in the Lord's service still. Well, some of our family of misfits have disabilities, and they should still be welcomed in the service with the rest of us nuts in Jesus family tree! 

Diversity is important in God's House! We all have varying gifts for a reason, and yet we're all still vital to work of the Lord even if our gifts differ. And so it is with our disabled brothers and sisters, they too have received ministry gifts from God and those gifts should feel free to flow in our Father's House! So, even if you have to take the mic to the mother in the pew in the wheelchair, take it to her and let her do the morning invocation! Show the WHOLE house that Everyone in the House is Relevant!

Saints, let's do better in our ministry outreach and in our services. Include those who society has a tendency to always exclude. Let everyone know that there is room for them in our Father's House. Embrace every disability, every handicap, every struggle, every limitation! If God could work with you and me, He can work with them, and so can we! Show Love to ALL, Embrace ALL, Include ALL! Jesus Did!

 

“Placing one foot  in front of the other, I’ve climbed to higher lengths. Reaching beyond my own limitations, to show my inner strength. No obstacle too hard, for this warrior to overcome. I’m just a man on a mission, to prove my disability hasn’t won” (Robert M. Hensel).

“Disability is a matter of perception. If you can do just one thing well, you’re needed by someone” (Martina Navratilova)

“The greatest feeling of accomplishment for me is the fact that I was an athlete who was somewhat disabled” (Bill Toomey)

“I was slightly brain damaged at birth, and I want people like me to see that they shouldn’t let a disability get in the way. I want to raise awareness – I want to turn my disability into ability” (Susan Boyle)

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit

"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)