That the works of God might be displayed
I've always loved the story in John 9 where Jesus tells the Pharisees that a man born blind was not being punished for anyone's sin but rather given a unique opportunity to display the work of the Lord. Years ago, I even wrote a blog about how I felt that story spoke to my condition with food allergies. I'm not defined by my limitations in what I can eat - in fact, I usually only tell people about my food allergies if it's important. Anaphylaxis isn't a punishment from God, and neither is my current condition - which brings me back to John 9.
Today I received a wonderful email from a woman serving in Austria with TeachBeyond. Her son has some very similar conditions to me - patches of feeling and function below the belly button and next no nothing past the knee. She offered some great encouragement along with the reference John 9:3. Jesus spoke with power and authority when he said a physical affliction could display the works of God.
I remember being on the phone with my dad before the surgery a month ago and asking him to pray that the Lord would be glorified though I didn't see how this could be a glorifying event in that moment. Now, a month later, I know in part. I'm eager to hear how the Lord continues to be glorified through my condition, so if you have a story, please be quick to share it.
Two in particular that I've heard stand out to me. First, a small group leader at BFA told me that she had girls who had not come close to being spiritually thoughtful prior to my accident chose to pray for me on my birthday. That alone makes the whole accident worthwhile, but it gets better. The head doctor came for her biweekly visit today and asked how my birthday was. I could tell her and the other doctors with absolute conviction that it was the best birthday ever because thousands of people around the world were praying for me.
Second, I received an email from one of my former small group girls in Oregon. That in itself was pretty significant considering how non communicative most of my small group girls were, but the content was all the more encouraging. She told me she was praying for me and that she wanted answers for why God did this. If this one special kid seeks out those answers and learns about the character of our great and awesome God - if she were the only one impacted by this - it is all worthwhile. I would not hesitate to break my back - and clearly I mean literally - to motivate just one of my students to have a deeper walk with Jesus.
What a gift that the Lord would choose me to display his works. It's a great and humbling reminder when I find myself frustrated with my less than normal capabilities, but I know that this injury was given so that the works of God might be displayed in me.
Comments (9)
Praying for you dear one! I am always humbled and amazed at His work in you through this. Let Your Light Shine! :-) {{HUGS}}
Yes, Laura, Jesus does indeed shine through you. I love you very much. Granny
Yes, Laura, the works of God are being displayed in you! We all see it! Praise God! Lori Crawford
You and my niece Lauren need to connect; you are both thinkers and completely glorify God no matter your circumstances and it is through these "afflictions" (what the world calls it) that others see the heart of Jesus. I have always marveled at Lauren's grace and gentleness through her daily pain and trials for a decade and a half and continuing, even physical conditions worsening in the worldly sense. I look back on the years I have known you and see God's preparation of you for this time. Of course I didn't see it during those years; I don't have God eyes. xoxo (Let me know if you want to connect with Lauren; she's on FB.)
God does not waste opportunities. It's obvious that He knew He could choose you Laura to SHINE His Life and Light at Rehab, Basel. We are cheering you (and Him!) on each day in our prayers! love from the Taylor gang
On the day that Aunt Shirley told me of your accident, just days after I had major surgery, one of the first things I texted her after hearing that you were out of surgery was, "[God] has been preparing Laura and her family's hearts for this day. I know they don't feel prepared, but His work began a long time ago. He knows what tomorrow holds and in the midst of this tragic injury...Jer 29:11 still holds true." Aunt Shirley's response said, "I read this to Sheri & she cried, she said it meant a lot coming from you." In no way did I mean those words to be lacking in compassion or minimizing your grief and the tumult of emotions and physical suffering you were/are experiencing. Rather, they were borne of a certain amount of experience, time that has allowed me to look back on these 16 years and see how our Father, our precious Abba had not only been preparing our family from, literally, the moment I was born, but that He had also created and shaped my personality to "handle" what entered my life at age 19. Something that has evolved and never ceases to present new challenges. From the start, I was thrown into a new reality, I had to, and continue to, take one day a time, one hour...one minute, something you know all too much about. Sweetheart, I am so proud of you. You are my sister in Christ and I've been praying for you and your family since meeting Denise through Kaylyn. I'm not sure that my aunt even knows that. Even then, God was calling people whom you had never met, like myself, to pray for you. He knew what the future would hold. One last thing for now...it is okay to not feel "strong" sometimes. In those solitary moments when it is just you and God, some of the most wonderful times of communion, yet also some of the most difficult...give yourself permission to acknowledge your emotions, to let the weight of it all bring you, limp, into His arms, His loving arms. My prayers continue. Thank you for the impact your spirit has already had on me. I have no doubt that you will teach me so much in the days and months to come. Gentle hugs being sent your way. I am here for you, as Aunt Shirley said. :)
Yikes! Laura! First, we are so glad you are trusting God despite really, really difficult circumstances... Can't help but think about the apostle Paul. Second, your fall was a month ago and I am sorry we haven't connected more. Thank you for your postcard that directed us here. Please know that our prayers have been and will be with you. Love you very much!
Thank you Lauren Marie Gray for your message to us all! Laura, what's going on in your life is so much bigger than you can see - until heaven that is...and then we'll all rejoice and dance and praise Jesus forever as we see the big picture and all the lives He impacted here on earth through your situation. Alyssa and I are looking for an opportunity to come visit you...I hope it can be soon! Praying for courage and strength for you at rehab today. love from Helen
"For the reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual understanding, so that you walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing int he knowledge of God, strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption , the forgiveness of sins. Col 1:9-14 I've been praying this passage for yo since you left the states. Still am. Love you so much Laura. Tiff