The Purpose of Disabilities: Displaying God’s Glory
Inspired by Ray Stedman’s "Immeasurably More"
"As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' 'Neither this man nor his parents sinned,' said Jesus, 'but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.'"
— John 9:1–3
When we encounter suffering, it’s natural to ask, Why? The disciples' question about the blind man reflects a common assumption: that suffering is always tied to sin. Yet Jesus’ response redirects the focus. The man’s blindness wasn’t the result of his sin or his parents’ sin. It was an opportunity for God’s work to be displayed.
This truth challenges us to see hardships, not as evidence of punishment, but as a canvas for God’s glory.
A Broken World with a Purposeful God
We live in a fallen world where perfection is no longer the norm. Weakness, disability, and hardship affect everyone in some way, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. Yet, Jesus reminds us that even the most challenging circumstances are not meaningless. They hold potential for God’s redemptive work to shine through.
Consider a cracked vase. In its brokenness, light from a candle inside shines more brightly through the cracks, creating a stunning pattern of illumination. Our weaknesses and struggles, like those cracks, provide openings for God’s light to shine—touching not only our lives but also the lives of those around us.
The Divine Opportunity in Disability
This passage highlights that suffering, though difficult, is an opportunity for God to display His grace, power, and love. The blind man in John 9 wasn’t defined by his blindness; he became a vessel through which God’s works were revealed.
History gives us countless examples of individuals whose lives, marked by disability, displayed God’s beauty in ways that would not have been possible otherwise. Fanny Crosby, blind from infancy, didn’t let her blindness hinder her faith or creativity. Instead, she penned over 8,000 hymns, touching countless lives with her deep trust in God’s goodness.
God’s Glory in Our Lives
You may not be physically blind, but all of us experience cracks in the vase of our lives. Rather than seeing them as obstacles, we can trust that they are opportunities for God to work in and through us. Whether it’s an illness, a loss, or a personal limitation, these are moments to rest in His sufficiency, trusting that He is using them to accomplish something beautiful.
Jesus’ response to the disciples teaches us that suffering and struggle are not the end of the story. They are the beginning of God’s transformative work.
A Prayer of Confidence in God’s Purpose
Father,
Thank You for the truth that every challenge and weakness in our lives is an opportunity for Your glory to be displayed. You have already equipped us with Your grace and presence to navigate every situation. May Your light shine brightly through our brokenness, showing the world the beauty of Your redemptive power. Thank You for working all things together for good in ways we cannot fully see or understand. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Final Thought
The purpose of our struggles is not to highlight our weakness, but to showcase God’s strength. Like the cracks in a vase allowing light to shine through, our challenges become channels for His glory. Let’s trust Him to work through every circumstance, illuminating His grace to those around us.