Getting old is a bummer especially when you are unable to accomplish tasks your body refuses to do anymore. A quote by a double amputee riding a skateboard recently caught my attention, “Your life is not over because you are missing something.” I copied it and wrote under it, “Your ministry is not over because your circumstances have changed or you have fewer resources.” I can no longer bounce around on rough roads in Africa for several weeks often traveling thousands of miles in several countries. However, I can sit in my office, write the same lessons, and reach far more believers through the internet. My mission and purpose has never changed; only new methods of delivery have become necessary. Unfortunately, for many when life changes, they just give up believing their purpose in life is over. Christians can also falsely assume their ministry has ended because of challenges or less resources. However, God’s calling and purpose never changes, and He will guide us to develop new methods for overcoming our limitations.
Mr. JC was the strongest man I have ever known. He had been a farmer his entire life until having a stroke in his late forties. Doctors told him there was hope for him returning to a quality life with time and therapy. Instead, after only a few weeks of therapy, he gave up and surrendered to his wheelchair never able to walk again or speak without severe impediments. He lived another ten years just hopelessly staring across the fields he once plowed.
Paul faced numerous challenges in his ministry that would cause many Christians to surrender, sit, and stare out across the fields of harvest, but he never gave up. The most noted limitation was his thorn in the flesh. There was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me–to keep me from exalting myself (2 Corin 12:7)! Endless conjecture abounds about what his thorn was. The reality is the Holy Spirit did not lead Paul to write a direct definitive explanation. However, his writing does contain several indications the thorn was a physical infirmity affecting his sight. Paul wrote to the Galatians; but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time; and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe . . . if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me (Gal 4:13-15). These verses hint to a plausible deduction that Paul suffered with a debilitating eye disease. In the first century, the Galatia region was known for a bacterium causing ophthalmia, a repulsive eye disorder resulting in partial blindness. In the closing verses Paul also writes, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand (Gal 6:11). Paul always utilized a secretary to pen his letters, but in this case, he at least penned the conclusion. Because of his poor eyesight, he writes by using a large script.
Paul didn’t want this limitation; I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me (2 Cor 12:8). The Lord answered by promising Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness” (v9). The word weakness also means bodily infirmity, feebleness, imperfection, distress, or calamity. I have personally witnessed God instantly heal many people. Yet, there are times when He does not remove our bodily infirmities, feebleness, etc. and only He knows why. Yet, the Holy Spirit will give us strength and lead us to new ways of fulfilling our purpose. Paul accepted his limitation choosing God’s grace. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size-abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become (v10 MSG).
This wasn’t the only challenge Paul faced but he overcome each limitation. In Philippi, the leaders scourged Paul and threw him into jail but Paul sang hymns and led the jailor to Christ. In prison, Paul wrote his best theological expositions. We would have a void in our understanding of salvation without these epistles. While chained to soldiers, Paul shared the Gospel, to the point, it became well known throughout the whole Praetorian Guard and to everyone else (Phil 1:13). Paul adapted to his circumstances and resources. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity.
Getting older may bring limitations but is not the only limitation we must accept and find new methods for using our gifts and talents for Christ. Every Christian faces challenges throughout life. The question we must ask ourselves, what am I going to do?—give up, sit, and stare out across the fields of harvest or allow the Holy Spirit to guide me into new ways of accomplishing God’s purpose by letting His power be perfected in my weakness.
Sustaining Word for the Week: Your purpose and calling haven’t changed. You have the same message, and if needed, use a different method.