Everyone?

 

         I've started rereading the book, "Suffer Strong", because living with a disability in this physical world calls for encouragement.  We are all disabled in some way, seen or unseen.  We can't do this life on our own, we need each other and most of all, we need Jesus.

     The Bible was written and given for all peoples of this world.  The only condition to the reference of 'everyone' is that they believe in Jesus, as their Lord and Savior.  For example in Acts 10:43 "Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.”"

        Who is 'everyone' to you?  Does it only include those who look like you, dress like you, or act like you?  'Everyone' is every other human on this planet.  Exclusions to 'everyone' are man-made discriminations and are from an ugly heart. 

         Often as part of the disabled community, we aren't always
included in the 'everyone' part of society. We may get overlooked, because someone feels too awkward to say 'Hi' or to even give a friendly nod.   We may have to go through the back door of a restaurant to get to our table, because there's not another accessible way to enter.   We may get a child's menu at a restaurant, because assumptions take over about size, stature and ability.  We often have to prove ourselves to others; as physically able, mentally fit and not an idiot.

       As for myself, I've gone thru different stages of disability throughout my life.  I am the same person at any stage of life  and I have confidence in that, but the discriminating people of my world see me differently.  To them I say, "Shame on you!"  They are not better than me, but are in a different place in life--for now.  I struggled for years pushing myself in my leg braces, but now I am in some ways wheelchair-bound but mostly I am wheelchair-free.  I go more places than most people, because my wheelchair allows me to go further than I could ever walk.  Jesus has promised that disability is only a temporary part of this life. 2 Corinthians 4:7-10 "  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing;  persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;  always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. "  Yes, there are difficult times for all of us, seen as disabled or not, but how we respond to those times is the most important character trait of all.

       I challenge you to consider who fits into the  'everyone' in your life.