The Disabled Are Members of the Body of Christ: Why Are We Excluded?
When God wants to correct His church, He often uses the weak to do it. Those who are outside of the religious boxes created by man. God won’t be put in a box and neither will those who are marginalized because they don’t fit the current social narrative or unBiblical fad within the body of Christ.
This past Saturday, I had the amazing opportunity to be part of a one-day summit called, “Disabled But Not Distracted.” The link is in the title so click on it to watch the YouTube recording, but settle in for two hours and prepare for a few sacred cows to be killed and the elephant in the room to be exposed.
What Elephant in the Room?
The way the disabled are treated within the church body. It’s something that is hidden and needs to be exposed, not to condemn, but to educate and shine God’s light on an area in desperate need of correction.
I can only speak for the physically disabled, as I have lived with Cerebral Palsy my entire life. There are a myriad of different disabilities that must be addressed and included. Yes, I am talking about being welcomed, accepted, included, and enabled to be who Christ called each of us to be as people (who happen to live with disabilities).
Too often, the church’s sole focus is on getting the disabled “healed.” To make us whole and able-bodied like “everyone else.” Many scriptures are misquoted to uphold the popular teaching that “Jesus heals all, all of the time.”
Let’s put this into some context. God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit exist outside of time and the paradigm of Good and Evil that we on the earth live under. This was chosen by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
Jesus is our Healer, the Bible is clear on that. The when and where for each person is up to Him alone. We, the creation, do not get to dictate to God, the Creator. He is Sovereign. That means scripture is correct, but our healing may not take place in this paradigm, instead it will occur when He calls us Home to Heaven. The church needs to remember that death is not defeat, it is merely a veil we pass through on our way back to Him.
Back to the Basics
When a disabled person appears in your church building (provided there are ramps, chair lifts and/or elevators, and accessible washrooms to accommodate mobility issues), the first thing people assume is that they have come to be healed and set free of their “affliction.” Instead, when that person asks for prayer or comes forward for prayer, take a few minutes and ask what it is he/she wants prayer for. That is the standard procedure for all non-disabled people, so why treat us any different?
Provide bibles with large print for the visually impaired, and other appropriate technology for the deaf or hard of hearing, and sensory rooms or spaces for the autistic. If those terms are foreign to you, then do some research and ask questions. It’s not difficult, but it does require a determined effort.
“Why should we expend that energy, and waste our time & money on those who cannot fully comprehend or interact in our world?” I hear you ask—because we are your brothers and sisters in Christ and you can learn from us!
Hidden Treasures
The church has hidden treasures to find. The packaging of those treasures may look very different. Yes, the canes, walkers, wheelchairs, and other aids may be intimidating, however, they are there for the benefit of the person using them, not you. Look beyond what the mortal eye can see and search for the buried treasure within that person.
God is not a respecter of persons. He gives to each one liberally. That means He has given each and every disabled person gifts and a calling. It’s leadership’ responsibility to recognize the gifts and the calling of each person and then assign like mentors to train and release them as valuable members of. the body.
God Loves the Weak and the Rejected
The church is called to love as Jesus does. He never turned away any disabled or ill person regardless of the disease or deformity. He had compassion on all those who suffered and yes, there are accounts of Him healing all the sick and demon-possessed who had been brought out to hear and see Him.
There is a deep refining that happens for those who find themselves on the uneven, twisted path of suffering. The apostle Paul knew that path, though the “thorn in his side,” was never specified.
2 Corinthians 12:9–10
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
God’s power is made perfect in weakness!
