What if people with special needs are actually living out the purpose of this life?
The sole purpose.
We are made to worship. We are made for relationship with the Lord. We are made to glorify Him. We are made to do all things for Him.
This week I am with a team who is working at a school for kids with special needs. Most of these are more severe than you can imagine.
Today I worked in the cerebral palsy room. I found myself asking God why. Asking Him what the point of these people are who can’t speak. They can’t move. They literally lay on a bed all day. They make random sounds and movements. They have to be fed. They have to have diapers changed. They have to be moved every now and then to prevent bed sores.
Some of them can walk, with help. Some can feed themselves, with help. Some can say a few words.
Today I watched as an 18 year old boy laid on a bed. Every now and then I would hear him laugh. Sometimes it would look like he saw something and he watched it wherever it went. Other times, he just laid without doing anything.
It was heartbreaking.
I kept asking God why.
I was relentless in the question.
I don’t think God owes us an explanation for anything but sometimes I think God likes to explain Himself. I think He likes to remind us of who He is and of what He does.
My sole purpose is my relationship with God. But things get in the way. I get caught up in my family or my job or ministry. I get caught up in wanting control or being insecure or trying to please people. I get distracted by really good food and hanging out with people constantly. I get caught up in talking too much and not listening enough. Or listening too much and not talking enough.
Fill in the blank.
Things just fight for my attention. And I let them win.
But today. That boy. He was in full communion with the Lord.
Today. I wanted to know what God was saying to him to make him laugh. I wanted a glimpse into what that boy was seeing. Today, I desired to have the relationship with the Lord that he has.
It’s heartbreaking to watch these people miss out on what we think makes life worth it. To miss out on growing up. Getting a drivers license. Having friends. Playing a sport. Getting married. Having kids. Traveling the world.
But who is really missing out here?
Am I missing out because I’m distracted by getting a license? Growing up? Having friends? Playing a sport? Getting married? Having kids? Traveling the world?
I want to be in their space.
I want to serve these people who have a beautiful relationship with the Lord. I dare say, I want what they have.
If that means changing their diapers and feeding them watermelon mush, then I will do it for the rest of my life.
They make me want the Lord more than I already do.
