Blessing out of ‘disaster’?

Blessing out of ‘disaster’?

“This happened so that the work of God may be displayed in your life.”
John 9:3

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John 9:1-11 (NIV) 1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" 3 "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." 6 Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. 7 "Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. 8 His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, "Isn't this the same man who used to sit and beg?" 9 Some claimed that he was. Others said, "No, he only looks like him." But he himself insisted, "I am the man." 10 "How then were your eyes opened?" they demanded. 11 He replied, "The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see."

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Roger was born with a developmental disability. It seemed that he was going to
require a lifetime of support and dependency. His Mom and Dad went to church
regularly. Roger’s disabilities stunned them. How could God do this to them?

Roger, although having uniquely limited mental resources, grew to exhibit a strong
faith and a close relationship with Jesus in his life. Within the first ten years of his
adult life, he introduced his father to Jesus. His two brothers became shepherds of
God’s people and proclaimers of the good news about God.

One evening, during a heated debate at a congregational meeting in Roger’s home
church, Roger became agitated. He rose from his seat, approached the front of the
sanctuary and turning with his Bible open said, “We are to love one another.” The
congregational debate came to a sudden halt. Clearly God had rebuked his people
through Roger’s words.

If my life has taught me anything, it is that the person who trusts God in the midst
of hurtful, confusing times WINS! When we look to God in the midst of
experiences that seem intent on wounding us, He begins a process of blessing.

Jesus encourages us to come to God like Job did and express our hurt and confusion.
We can then, in child-like trust, look to Him to perform His miracle. “In all your
ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight”. Proverbs 3:6

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Heavenly Father, I am feeling broken and confused. My life is not as I had
imagined it would be and I feel that I can’t bear another day of this hurt. I pray for
a window of hope today. Please give me a glimpse of Your hand in my life today so
that I may be encouraged to draw closer to You and begin my own healing. Amen.

- Noel Churchman