There is a facility in my community called, “Coastal Care.”  Coastal Care is an adult day care that gives respite to caregivers for the day of those who are challenged mentally and physically.  Most of them are confined to their wheelchairs; some cannot hold their heads up; and others cannot even feed themselves.  I have visited on several occasions when we have worshipped, prayed, and experienced Christ together in many profound ways.

In John 9:1-43, is the story about a man who is born blind. In the Jewish tradition, it was thought if you were born with a disability, it was because of the sins of your parents. However, when the disciples ask Jesus who sinned – this man or his parents, Jesus responds, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him” (John 9:3).  Jesus then spits on the ground, takes the mud and puts it on his eyes, and then tells him to go wash them.  The blind man does as he was told and after washing his eyes, he is no longer blind.

We are all God’s children and God has created every single one of us, even those with disabilities, different sexual orientations, different skin color, and mental disorders, just to name a few.  However, it is how we respond to our differences and use what we have for the glory of God!  One of the reasons I love to go to Coastal Care is because these people know who they are and they know Jesus!  Their hope is eternal life – a place where many of them will finally have the opportunity to get out of their wheelchairs and walk, maybe even for the first time in their lives! They may disabilities that keep them from a normal life, but they are not spiritually blind!  They hear and believe in the Gospel!

How many of us have the ability to lead normal lives but do not use our gifts for the glory of God? How many of us are blessed in so many ways, but turn away from God?  How many of us will not know who Jesus is when we are standing before Him (John 9:39)?

Let us pray. Gracious God, please open our eyes to see you and to know you.  Help us to use everything that we are for your glory. Those who can speak, let them proclaim! Those who can walk, guide their steps! Those who can see, help them to believe in the One who gives us our eternal life. Amen.