Bad Eyes and Sore Hips

Jim Ladd

Most of us have an assumption about a life with God that is simply untrue. Not only is it false, but it feeds great confusion in our minds and hearts about where God is, how He views us, and how well we think we are performing at this whole Christian thing.

The assumption is this: If I am fully forgiven and in good standing with God, then my life will simply work better and I will be flourishing.

I know, like many of us you are probably arguing that you do not have this assumption. Then why do we struggle when things are difficult and ask, “What is wrong with me, Lord, that You won’t fix this, bless me, or give me favor in my pursuits?”

Consider two men, both of whom are heroes of faith, and see if their stories don’t encourage you - I know they encourage me.

First, Jacob. He was a mess, raised in a family where his brother was dad’s favorite and he was a momma’s boy. He also had a tendency to manipulate situations to his own advantage. One day, he got serious about wrestling with God and going “all-in” on trusting Him. That wrestling match lasted all night (how many times have we been willing to do that?) and by morning the Angel of the LORD wanted to be done. “I won’t let you go until you bless me!”, Jacob insisted. The Angel then wrenched Jacob’s hip socket so that he would let go, and then He did, indeed, bless him.

For the rest of his life two things were true: Jacob had the favor of God and he walked with a limp.

I have no idea if he experienced hip pain or not, but he never recovered from that “touch of God” on his life.

Consider the Apostle Paul. His name was Saul and he was traveling town to town, killing Christians for their belief in Jesus as Messiah and he was on a mission. Jesus graciously met him on the Road to Damascus and blinded him with the bright light of His Presence. Then He called Saul to new life in Jesus and to a life on mission for His Kingdom. He not only changed his life, but also changed his name to Paul.

Paul was blind for three days before he gained his sight, but apparently his sight never fully recovered. His poor vision was widely known and he wrote his letters with extra large print because of it.

Paul loved to read and cherished his library of scrolls which included the Old Testament and academic books. However, he could hardly read them ever again. Most scholars believe that Paul called this loss of vision a “messenger of Satan sent to torment me” and wrestled with the lack of completely-restored vision. Finally the Lord convinced Paul that this weakness was actually a powerful tool of God’s strength, so much so that Paul actually boasted about his weakness!

Here is my point: sometimes our weaknesses are not at all a sign of God’s negligence or frustration with our lives. They may be, in fact, an ongoing work of God in us that equips us, calls us, and colors our witness of His great saving work in the world.

Bad eyes and sore hips may be just what the Lord has ordered to use us more greatly for His name’s sake.

Lean in on this. Consider that the weaknesses that remain in your life are not a sign that you and God are not fully connected. Rather trust that they are an ongoing part of His work and calling in your life.

How can God use your weaknesses for His glory?

Strut that limp, and squint those eyes - and watch God be even more powerful in and through you! If you hide your weaknesses in shame, God cannot use them powerfully for His glory in the lives of others.