Some how my students and I got into a discussion yesterday about how we can Glorify God. I told them that God gives talents to everyone, and we are to use those talents for His glory. There is no greater feeling in the world than to be doing the very thing God called us to do. I know He called me to be a teacher. For me, it is more than a job and even more than a career. For me, teaching is a passion! I am using it to Glorify the Lord. But I got asked a question that I was not sure how to answer. One of my students asked me about her cousin. She is confined to a wheelchair, mentally retarded, can't speak, and can't even do the very basic things you and I take for granted. How can she glorify God in her condition? Wow! What would you answer? I prayed, searched the Bible, prayed some more, and well, here I am still contemplating it. I am still not sure I have a satisfactory answer.
I do know this. The Bible tells us that when Jesus comes back for us, we will all be transformed into brand-new, perfect bodies. No wheelchairs, crutches, canes, or any other human imperfection will exist any longer. So what will we be doing in heaven for eternity with perfect bodies? The Bible tells us that we will be in service to the Lord. Maybe all that we go through here on earth is in preparation for some special service we will perform in heaven. Maybe this is our training ground for what is to come. That concept is not foreign to us. We go to colleges or trade schools to be specially trained for certain jobs. That training is not always easy, and I can tell you getting a degree in Math was very hard at times. But it was all necessary for me to become a teacher, and so maybe all the trials we have to endure here is for the same reason when we get to heaven. I am sure one day it will all become very clear to us. In the meantime, let's just trust the Lord and remember that He does not make mistakes!
2 Samuel 22:31 says, "As for God, His way is perfect; the Word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler to all them that trust in Him."
Father, we don't understand everything that You do. But help us to keep our trust in You and to always strive to glorify Your name. In Jesus name, Amen.
Oh, my goodness. This is such a soulful topic and a thought-provoking question. I'm glad you shared it with us.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are that your student's cousin must have a very willful, beautiful, infectious spirit, and she no doubt inspires everyone with whom she comes in contact. I believe the Lord infuses her with the kind of internal fortitude only He can dole out, and he equips her with a special light that teaches us about gratitude and perspective.
God bless her.
A good question posed today. I would like to pose another question to you. You spoke of "talents". Does not God give us "gifts"? Is there a difference between a "talent" and a "gift" or are they one in the same? O.k....that is two questions...LOL. I ponder this very question. I'd like to know what you think. Thanks for writing!
ReplyDeleteI know a boy that is in a wheelchair and pretty much is how your student described. What I've noticed about him is that HE's the blessing for those around him. He LOVES Christian music and he just starts yelling and moving his body the best that he can and it's a beautiful thing to watch that boy worship the Lord. We can't understand what he's saying but it's so obvious that he's worshiping. That is definitely giving God the glory and it blesses all those around him as well :)
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