GOD USES YOU TO DISPLAY HIS MIGHTY WORKS
SCRIPTURE:
“As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. 8 His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some claimed that he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him.” But he himself insisted, “I am the man.” 10 “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked. 11 He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.” 12 “Where is this man?” they asked him. “I don’t know,” he said. (JOHN 9:1—12 NIV)
OBSERVATION:
A man was born blind, and Jesus’ disciples asked Him, Rabbi, who sinned this man or his parents that he was born blind? Jesus answers by saying, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned…, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” Jesus’ response tells me that we are all born with a purpose. Sometimes, people see those who have physical disabilities and were born that way and think to themselves, how can a God of love create people with disabilities?
Many see disabilities as a result of some sin committed by parents as to why a child was born disabled. But Jesus sees it differently. He sees that everyone with a human disability is so precious in God’s eyes. They are not disabled because God doesn’t value them or love them. They are here for a purpose higher than what most people think. We all exist for a purpose that is higher than we are.
I am not here for my own pleasure and purpose. I am here and alive because God has a purpose and plans for my life. If I understand that I am here for God’s plans and purpose, then it doesn’t matter whether I have a disability, whether I have a lot of money, or whether I graduated from an elite institution or whatever.
Jesus said that it was neither this man nor his parents who sinned, BUT THIS HAPPENED SO THAT THE WORKS OF GOD MIGHT BE DISPLAYED IN HIM. Jesus was always conscious of the Father’s work and purpose. The blind man exists so God’s work can be displayed. God does not look for perfect vessels to display his mighty works through them. God does not look for people who think they have it all to display his mighty works through them. God does not work with only those who are just concerned about the way they look. God is not interested in people who do not realize that they, too, have disabilities.
God always uses the UNLIKELY, THE UNQUALIFY, THE DISABLE, THE BROKEN, AND MISFITS to be DISPLAYERS OF HIS MIGHTY PURPOSES. It has nothing to do with whether I was born into a rich family or a broken family and dysfunctional family. It has nothing to do with our PARENTS. It all has to do with JESUS’ PURPOSE OF WHY I EXIST.
The world is in the dark about why God causes some misfits to be useful to God. Jesus displayed the works of God through a blind man so others could see the good works of God. It does not matter how my life is when I was born, it matters that Jesus finds me and do his works in my life for God’s purpose.
Jesus opened the blind man’s eyes, and the whole community saw it. Jesus said, as long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. As long as Jesus is IN my life, he will cause all my disabilities to bring glory to him. The Bible teaches that’ But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” (1Corinthians 1: 27 NIV)
My takeaway today is it doesn’t matter how I came into this world. It only matters how I know why I am here and be able to fulfill God’s purpose of why I exist. I exist with all my flaws, imperfections, immaturity, and sin; through it all, Jesus fulfills and displays his purpose and mighty works in my life.
APPLICATION:
I want to pay close attention to why I am here and to whose purpose I live. I am not an accident or a consequence of someone’s actions. I am here with a divine plan and purpose that, through my disabilities, God will display his purpose in my life. So many people look at their disabilities and condemn themselves by thinking they are worthless. To others, when they see my disabilities, they may judge my worth. But with God, he knew why he created me the way I am, and that is to DISPLAY his purpose through me. I want to be someone for God to continue to display his purpose and good pleasure throughout my life.
PRAYER:
Jesus, I thank you that you did not make a mistake with me. While others may see my disabilities as a mistake, you see me as worthy to be someone with whom you can display your work. Please help me to know that I am not here for my purpose but for yours alone. I am grateful to your goodness to use someone like me who may have no value in the eyes of others, only to you. Thank you, Lord. Amen!
