Locked In
What if we were locked inside
ourselves and only God could hear us?
Chris Klein and Jennifer Lowe were
born with cerebral palsy. Both have issues with movement and neither is able to
speak. A documentary film tells their story. It’s the story of miracles.
It is the story of how they
found their voices. Neither has vocal speech but both have found their voice
through a device that allows them to communicate.
This is also a story of
remarkable faith. Their story is "Only God Could Hear
Me"
The title comes from Jennifer. When she was seven, Jennifer realized that God
could hear her and she began asking God to help her find a way to communicate
with others. She asked God to put her thoughts into the minds of the people
around her so they would know her words and they could speak for her.
Chris sums his life up by Philippians
4:13 “I have the strength for everything
through him who empowers me.” He says, “I do things because I rely upon the
strength of Christ in my life. He showed me all that I need to rely on is his
strength.”
Like Bartimaeus these two young
people were discriminated against, unheard by most, and outside society. I look
at them and I see Bartimaeus. Separated from the rest of the world, they knew
God.
In silence, Chris and Jennifer called
out to God.
Bartimeaus called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.”
Although everyone else rebuked him and told him to be silent, God heard him.
Jesus said “Call him.”
Bartimaeus asked for mercy. He
didn’t ask for sight; he wanted to see.
He was healed by his faith. Then,
immediately he received his sight and he followed Jesus on the way. Bartimaeus could see the truth.
Why is truth important? Why is
truth important to me, to all of us?
It is because truth is the foundation
of all relationships. You can build relationships in others ways but when there
is a lack of truth the relationship is going to die.
A relationship with Jesus Christ
is based on the truth of whom He is and who I am. I am a sinner.
The truth is I am a person
blinded by sin and wearing a cloak that society has put on me. But, Jesus is
the way, the truth, and the light. He is our justification, redemption, and
salvation.
Today the readings are packed with
truth. Open your heart to them. But, here is the truth I share today. “Take courage… Jesus is calling you.” God
is a merciful and loving God. God is not a God to be feared.
Take courage in the truth of
God’s gentleness and mercy. Jeremiah wrote that the blind, the lame, the
mothers, and those with child, He consoles. He guides them so none will
stumble.
The Psalms sings praise and
rejoicing for the good things God has done.
Hebrews confesses that Christ,
our high priest. is patient with our ignorance, erring, and weaknesses.
Here is another truth. You may
not see my blindness; but, I am Bartimeaus. My cloak may look like yours but it is truly
mine. My cloak is my sins, addictions, and troubles. Its cloth it is made of is
my life. It locks me in.
Jesus calls me.
By faith, I see the truth. I
have the courage to throw off the cloak the world has placed on me. I follow
him.
Unlike Chris, Jennifer, or
Bartimaeus, others may not see what keeps us quiet. But those three knew one
thing, if the world ignores you and no one else hears you cry, God does.
Throw off all the things that
keep us from Christ. All things are possible by faith through the power of Him
who strengthens us: the God of mercy; the God of love; the God of forgiveness; the
God of miracles.
Brothers and sisters take
courage. He hears us and He calls us.
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