My son, James, is nearly 24; he has a range of additional needs and disabilities including Learning Disability; he is Autistic, has Epilepsy and Social Anxiety. Life for James is complex, can be difficult, but also can be filled with joy. There are lots of professionals that speak into James’ life, and of course as his family we do too, but does the Bible have anything to say about James? Actually, I think it does… let’s have a look together:
Likeness: Genesis 1:27a “So God created human beings in his own likeness. He created them to be like himself.”
All people are made in God’s image, and that included James. That means God understands, personally, the differences and disabilities that James journey’s with.
Created: Psalm 139:13-16 “You created the deepest parts of my being. You put me together inside my mother’s body. How you made me is amazing and wonderful. I praise you for that. What you have done is wonderful. I know that very well. None of my bones was hidden from you when you made me inside my mother’s body.That place was as dark as the deepest parts of the earth. When you were putting me together there, your eyes saw my body even before it was formed. You planned how many days I would live. You wrote down the number of them in your book before I had lived through even one of them.”
God knew who James would be, all about him, what differences and disabilities that he would have, and how long James will live, even as James was being formed in Clare’s womb. James wasn’t, and isn’t, a mistake. He was meant to be who he is.
Planned: Jeremiah 29:11 “I know the plans I have for you,” announces the Lord. “I want you to enjoy success. I do not plan to harm you. I will give you hope for the years to come.”
As James is meant to be who he is, so God has an amazing plan for him. A plan that he is already guiding James through, and that has more to come. James, although he has almost no speech, has been heard by millions the world over through the work we have done together on TV, radio, and the written word. God’s plan for James is still unfolding, and is full of hope!
Glorifying: Psalm 34:3 “Join me in giving glory to the Lord. Let us honour him together.”
When James and I pray together, or sing that old chorus ‘Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so…’ James can be filled with the joy, grace, and peace of the Lord. It is beautiful to spend those moments together, and helps me to learn that no matter how disabled someone might be, God can, and does, still move in their lives, giving glory to him.
Accepted: Romans 15:7 “Christ has accepted you. So accept one another in order to bring praise to God.”
Jesus accepts, and loves, James for who he is. The world may not always accept him, but as Jesus himself said: “I have told you these things, so that you can have peace because of me. In this world you will have trouble. But be encouraged! I have won the battle over the world.” (John 16:33)
Grace filled: 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10 “But he said to me, “My grace is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” So I am very happy to brag about how weak I am. Then Christ’s power can rest on me. Because of how I suffered for Christ, I’m glad that I am weak. I am glad in hard times. I am glad when people say mean things about me. I am glad when things are difficult. And I am glad when people make me suffer. When I am weak, I am strong.”
God uses James’ perceived weakness for his glory. Through James’ story, millions of people have been shown that God works through him to help families like ours across the world find acceptance and belonging in their church communities; bringing hope and help.
Grace poured out: Colossians 4:6 “Let the words you speak always be full of grace. Learn how to make your words what people want to hear. Then you will know how to answer everyone.”
We are instructed to communicate in ways that everyone can understand. James has very minimal speech, but he communicates in other ways to be understood. Through God’s grace, James has communicated with millions, and has changed many lives.
Loved: 1 Peter 3:8 “Finally, I want all of you to agree with one another. Be understanding. Love one another. Be kind and tender. Be humble.”
We are meant to love and be kind and tender to each other, and that includes disabled people like James. He shows us that better understanding can bring about real change, acceptance, inclusion, and belonging. Loving kindness in action.
Eternal: John 3:16 “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life.”
The love that God has for James, for us all, is eternal. Our journey with James goes on for ever. God gave his son, so that my son can have new, eternal, life with him and all of us that believe in him. I look forward to what that will be like!
So, James is everywhere in the Bible, because the Bible is all about God’s big story and that story incorporates all of us, including James. Whether we see James in creation, in the plans God has for him, or as he praises God, James is there. And when we see the acceptance, grace, and love of Christ in action, James is there too.
It turns out that the Bible has plenty to say about James, and it also has plenty to say about you and your child too. Why not have a closer look?
Blessings,
Mark
© Mark Arnold / The Additional Needs Blogfather, except Bible references
Bible passage taken from the New International Reader’s Version (NIRV)
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