Body-Building Abilities

When I was a boy, Chester and Vivian were two of my favorite people in the church. Vivian's delicious hickory nut cake always earned oohs and ahs at church dinners. Most Sundays she wore a bright-colored sweater she'd made herself, and Chester wore socks to match—bold reds and greens at Christmas, cheery blues and yellows in the spring.

Chester worked hard as a farmer; and in the summers, he paid me $1.50 per hour to help him bale hay. He and Vivian had no children, but the kids at church loved them. The two of them often served as greeters, welcoming worshipers and handing out bulletins by the church door. We kids would urge, "Hey, Chester, show us your socks!" And with a wry grin, he'd pull up his pant leg to reveal—sure enough—a sock that matched the color of Vivian's sweater.

His leg, by the way, was artificial. Years before, his original leg had been amputated at the hip. In my childish mind, I never understood why. Something about a blood clot, I think. Looking back, I realize how difficult Chester's life must have been at times—the emotional stress of losing a limb, the physical challenges of driving farm equipment. But even now, it's hard for me to think about Chester's weaknesses. Mainly I recall his strengths: cheerful service to Christ, faithfulness to his wife, hard work on the farm.

What is our attitude toward people with disabilities? Do we treat them with respect? Do we avoid them, talk down to them, or secretly make fun of them? Can they attend and participate fully in our worship services and Bible studies? Are we making the gospel accessible to everyone, including those who cannot hear or see, and those who use wheelchairs?

Do we underestimate what people with disabilities can do? According to American Demographics (July, 1997), there are 29 million disabled Americans aged 21 to 64. Fifty-two percent of them hold down paying jobs. In other words, people with disabilities comprise more than one-tenth of those with steady work force. Even among those with severe disabilities, 26 percent are employed. A survey of employers who have hired mentally retarded workers shows a high rate of satisfaction with the employees' attendance record and dedication to their work.

Come to think of it, physical perfection is overrated. Saul looked impressive but proved disappointing as Israel's first king. Absalom's movie-star good looks didn't keep him from dying in rebellion and shame. On the other hand, some of God's most faithful servants lived with physical challenges. Jacob walked with a limp. Moses had trouble speaking. Paul was blind for three days at his conversion and endured a frustrating thorn in the flesh. Timothy struggled with stomach problems. If God's only servants were those with flawless, pain-free bodies and minds, who would serve him at all?

Our Christian brothers and sisters with disabilities also have God-given abilities to use in kingdom work. They are real people with skills, senses of humor, and souls that cry out for God. Like other Christians, they need to use their gifts "for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up" (Ephesians 4:12).

I'm glad we can look forward to Heaven where our new glorified bodies will be flawless and pain-free. And in the meantime, I'm grateful for Christians like Chester who show us how to serve God in spite of our limitations.