Forty Days

DAY 9

THE HEART OF A GIFTED LEADER

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 4:10-11)

Does “each has received a gift” include children who are mentally or physically disabled? Are these children equipped to serve others as a good steward of God’s grace? Can God be glorified through a child with severe mental or physical disabilities? If you have a child or a family member who is disabled, these are questions that you (or they) may ponder.

Many people might believe the answer to these questions is “no,” considering the person with the disability unimportant and unable to serve others or to bring honor to God. But they would be wrong in that conclusion. Even parents of a child with mental or physical disabilities may become caught up in the busyness of meeting their child’s special needs and making it through another day. They might miss seeing the “specialness” of the child God has graced them with, and the opportunity to see God’s love in their son or daughter. Given the sometimes heavy demands of caring for a child who is significantly disabled, parents may neglect to intentionally share God’s love with the child. Perhaps, because of your situation, you can relate to this.

Elliot is a young boy whom God has used to bless me and others. Elliot was born with cerebral palsy. Because of damage to the motor control centers in his brain which occurred prior to or during birth, Elliot’s muscles are tight, making his movements spastic (jerky) and uncontrolled. With the aid of a walker he can make his way around his limited environment, but his movements are awkward. The paralysis also affects his tongue movements, making it impossible for him to speak. But Elliot is intelligent, able to understand and to learn, and he is very enthusiastic about life. His smile, which lights up his entire face, conveys love and acceptance of others, including both other children who have a disability and people who are able-bodied.

More importantly, Elliot loves the Lord. He readily joins in during times of praise and worship, moving to the music while holding his walker for support. When he “sings” and “prays” aloud, he uses a language only the Holy Spirit can understand. Although I cannot understand the language of his grunts and utterances, to God’s ears it is the sweet sound of praise.

Elliot is a gifted worship leader and draws others into worshiping with him. John 1:6−9 describes John the Baptist as a man sent from God to bear witness to the Light that is Jesus. The same can be said of Elliot; he is not the light, but his life points others to that Light. Does Elliot have a sense of being called by God? Perhaps not, but he does bring glory to his heavenly Father through his passion, his enthusiasm for life, his outgoing personality, his eagerness and courage to try new things, and through his worship. For me, Elliot is a more effective worship leader than the praise and worship bands we often see at church!

Jesus’ disciples asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” My answer would be, those who, like Elliot, receive the gift of salvation, receive God’s love, openly and without presumption, and use their ability to point others to the Lord.

FOR REFLECTION

As the parent of a child with a disability, step back from the daily responsibilities of meeting his or her needs. Look closely at your child to see how God is revealed to you through him or her. How does your child lead you to a deeper worship of God?

TAKE ACTION

What understanding of God do you hope your child receives through your caring for his or her special needs? What specific things can you do to “show” God to your child? Write a list of specific things and pray for God’s strength to do them.