If have any doubts about God’s goodness and sovereignty in disability, please watch, listen or read this past Sunday’s sermon from Pastor John.
Born Blind for the Glory of God – Sermon by John Piper, January 24, 2010
Here’s an excerpt:
So when Jesus said in verse 3 (of John 9), “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him,” this is the work of God—that the man see natural light and that the man see spiritual light. That the man be given natural eyes, and that he be given spiritual eyes. That he see the glory of this world, and the glory of its Maker, Jesus Christ. And worship him.
From this I conclude that in every disability, whether genetically from the womb, or circumstantially from an accident, or infectiously from a disease, God has a design, a purpose, for his own glory, and for the good of his people who love him and are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). Therefore, it is wrong to think that such children in the womb are unimportant, or without a unique, God-given worth in this world. And it is wrong to abort them—to kill them.
The Works of God 
Right on son. We all know what a blessing our Paul has been to so many. Dad
That was an incredible sermon…and I cried like I predicted I would!!! It’s unfortunate that parents (especially mothers) who are expecting a child with a disability or medical condition can’t see past the labels and into the blessed future waiting for them. I join in praying that their spiritual eyes would be opened!!! My younger sister has Cerebral Palsy and not one day has gone by that my parents or myself haven’t experienced joy and happiness because of her presence in our lives! When people find out that we are deliberately adopting a child with “special needs” after having three healthy biological children, they always want to know why. The answer is quite simple…growing up with a “differently abled” sister taught me how wonderful (albeit difficult at times) the experience is. 🙂
Again, good message.
When Dustin was born 30 years ago two verses were my
core verses. Both the verse in John quoted above and the verse “Jesus wept”.
I know that it is not God’s plan that children suffer and I find comfort in the fact that Jesus too weeps for our children.
It is His grace that can combine suffering with purpose.
WHile falling short at times, it has been my hope that my family’s attempt at family building can be a reflection of what God’s family is about. A son with a disability , while we grieve for his loss and pain, brings into our family a whole bucket load of unconditional love and care. I think God is pretty big on these redemptive elements, no?
from Oswald Chambers on suffering:
http://onegirlfriday.blogspot.com/2009/06/theology-of-suffering-oswald-chambers.html
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