Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Standing on broken legs

The other day I was listening to a song from "Leeland" It is on my profile on myspace right now, about the story of Mephibosheth. The story of Jonathan's son who was cripple. It is an amazing story of restoration. The greatest part of this story is it wasn't his fault. He was dropped when he was a baby. David made a promise to his best friend that he would take care of his son. Everything that was promised to Mephibosheth was taken from him. To make a long story short... he was cripple, but held his position. Standing on broken legs. Read the story some time. 


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2 things stuck out.

1) Who wants to be seen with a cripple, especially a King. Sure you can care for them... get some "what a good person you are" pats on the back, get some "Look God I like cripples" prayer photo ops. David made Mephibosheth his son. Can you imagine the extra care that would take? Plus... he's a King for Gods sake, he could have just sent carts of treasure... or even a message and have M brought to him... but he went himself. As he dipped into the dirt to embrace him, his pretty robe that confirmed his position got dirty. It's great to lend a hand to someone when they fall. Help them up, pat them and ask if they are ok. But what if the injury has affected there ability to continue? Who will go the distance to fulfill the "If there is anything you need... just let me know" What if their voice was silenced by the strain of mistakes and does not contain the ability to ask?

2) Mephibosheth stood taller cripple than Ziba did with legs. Ziba stole everything that was supposed to be M's with a lie. What did M do? He said "let him have it. As long as I know my new father David is safe... thats all I need" M learned priorities. He had a true treasure in David. What we fail to understand? Everyone knew M's handicap. Everyone knew what he couldnt do and used it against him and he was impaired. M didn't care. He stood with broken legs. You learn real quick to get used to the taste of dust when everyone walks on you. I have learned alot from Mephibosheth.

Good intentions has never accomplished or built anything. David could have walked after Jonathan was dead, but he kept his word. Can you imagine the first time M was picked up by David and slid to the table? No longer words of encouragement, but actions of covenant relationship. Alot of people did not know how to react after my fall. I reached out and some responded. Others? Hey man, I'm here for ya... and yet I hear nothing. Why? Who wants to be seen with a cripple? Others have carried me to the table. You know who you are, and I cant thank you enough for not caring wether you were seen associated with me or not. Not caring about getting your hard earned position a little dirty. I have learned priorities. The "I saw it comings" or "wow he wasn't the man I thought he was" ... you can have any treasure that is left behind in the wake of my mistakes. As long as my family is ok?...thats all I need.

I have learned to stand... on broken legs.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Incredible! You're an amazing writer, and an amazing person. Enough said ;)

LynnaeC said...

My Friend, My BROTHER in Christ,

Many blessings to you and your family!

I was so touched by this blog, I think back about all the mistakes I have made in my own life and found myself wondering what people think about me now! You know it doesn't matter what people think of you or this mistakes you have made, because the only one we are accountable to is God.

Who are we to judge the mistakes of others when we more often than not refuse to look at our own mistakes, thinking about God Word in Matthew 7:3.

The bible instructs to pray one for another, and to hold our brother up when he falls and it shouldn't matter what mistakes have been made, because we ALL fall short!

The amazing thing is that God still loves us and teaches us to love each other the same way that He loves us, in forgiveness and without condition.

By HIS stripes we are healed, and we think about that in a physical sense most of the time, but our hearts need healing, our courage, our faith and hope as well, which can be more crippling than some of the physical things in our lives. But know this my friend, You are not alone! As a brother (or in this case a sister) in Christ, we all share in your pain.

He who is without sin, let him cast the first stone... I will walk beside you and stand firm as I call you brother, in front of the world. I will hold up your arms and lower you down through the roof, you are my brother, and there is no mistake so great that God won't forgive, who are we to change the rules? God tells us to forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, I so need to be forgiven too!

Where one door is closed God will open another! Be encouraged my brother, Jesus said it is finished and won the victory at the cross! Keep your faith as you walk through, and know that even though we can't see it now, God always has a plan!

I love you my brother, hug your precious wife and know that our prayers and hugs are with you always!

ALWAYS in Christ
Sista Chris
Lubbock, TX