Yesterday on our other blog, I recommended the blog, A Disciple’s Journey, by James McMahon, an OCU graduate student. In that review I encouraged James to open up a little bit and tell us more about himself as he comments on the Scriptures and faith. James responded today by writing:
A year ago, I was diagnosed with a neurological disease that on my good days only manifests itself in some numbness in my feet and occasionally my fingers, but on the worst days almost completely robs me of my ability to walk without a cane. At almost 30 years old, and being someone who for most of my adult life has enjoyed labor intensive jobs like landscaping, roofing, and carpet installation, it has been difficult to accept that those things I enjoyed doing are no longer physically possible for me to do.
How’s that for opening up! All of a sudden James, whom I have never met and know almost nothing about, except that he shares my love for the Lord and His Word, becomes a real human being. I have three adult sons. The youngest two (twins) are about James’ age. James, it touches me to know what you are experiencing, as I’m sure it does other readers. As the Apostle Paul wrote:
If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. If one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. (1 Corinthians 12:26)
I mentioned yesterday that James begins each post with a Scripture. What passage do you suppose James chose to begin this article?
“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.†Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
I heard a man say once, “You can speak from a mind to a mind; you can speak from a heart to a heart; you can speak from a life to a life.†James, you spoke from your life, today, and you made that ancient text come alive. Thank you.
Read James’ article, “His Power Made Perfect.†I have added A Disciple’s Journey to our blogroll.