Created Crip, or Created TAB, You Were Created to Serve

Read: Ephesians 2:1-10

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)

For many of us who have disabilities or chronic illnesses, there is often a strong temptation to become so preoccupied with our own day-to-day challenges that we begin to feel like we’re destined to perpetually be on the receiving end of acts of service, rather than being capable of offering meaningful acts of service to others. When this kind of thinking becomes ingrained, it can lead to bouts of depression, as we begin to internalize the messages that we receive from the society and culture around us–messages which tell us that our lives can only be a burden, both to us and to those around us. People with disabilities who internalize these kinds of negative messages can often become convinced that our limitations render us incapable of helping or being of service to others in any kind of meaningful way. When we begin to think this way, it becomes very easy to sink into depression over our perceived uselessness.

The Bible reading for today offers, I think, a very effective encouragement to Christian crips–of all types–who struggle with feelings of uselessness and consequent depression. In this passage, the Apostle Paul makes it clear that all Christians, crip and TAB alike, are “created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” As far as God is concerned, having disabilities does not disqualify anyone from being of service to others. In fact, it’s been my experience, and the experience of many other Christians with disabilities, that God will actually use both our positive and our negative experiences of living with disabilities to minister in unique ways to other people, those who have disabilities themselves, and those who don’t–yet.

Gracious Lord Jesus, I confess that, too often, I let myself be too influenced by a society which tells me that my disabilities and limitations make it impossible for me to be anything other than a burden to others, and even to myself. When this happens, Lord, please remind me that this is not the way You see me, for You not only created me to do good works, but even prepared in advance the good works that You would have me do. Please help me to recognize those good works that You’ve prepared for me, and to engage in them wholeheartedly, for others’ good and for Your glory. Amen.