What is your perspective as you read Scripture? What verses catch your attention. In fact, all of us read Scripture with changing perspectives; with eyes that see and appreciate different aspects and truths as we change. For example if you are sensitized to the importance of cities, you will begin to notice how often they are mentioned in Scripture. Or if you are now in your "sixties" you are reading Scripture with a different perspective than someone in their "twenties'. You are much more likely to notice references to the aged, to grey hair, and perhaps to life beyond the grave.
I was reading a familiar passage of Scripture this morning, but noted a verse that I may have read over too quickly in the past.
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
6 Then will the lame leap like a deer,
and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
and streams in the desert. Isaiah 35:5, 6
There is no one in my immediate family who lives with a significant disability. But in the last year Jan and I have become acquainted with believers who employ and daily work with Vietnamese with disabilities. We have visited the cafe where the employer is committed to hiring "blind, deaf and lame" to use the words in the above verses. Imagine what good news this verse is to all of those and to the warm hearted woman who runs the cafe - not to make money, but to provide training and employment for those with disabilities who cannot find work elsewhere.
As these workers read a passage like this with a much different perspective than most of us. Imagine how exciting the promise that all disabilities will disappear is for them.
I think of an NGO that hires only those who have severe hearing disabilities. Employment is scarce for these young adults, but at this NGO they make greeting cards that are very intricate, lovely stuffed animals and nativity sets that are very unusual. These young men and women are doing well but I am sure they read these verses with a very different perspective than most of us.
While Jesus walked on planet earth, He restored some blinded eyes, unstopped some deaf ears, healed some lame legs. But in Isaiah 35 we find this wonderful promise for all who suffer serious disabilities: total, universal healing is coming!
I was reading a familiar passage of Scripture this morning, but noted a verse that I may have read over too quickly in the past.
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
6 Then will the lame leap like a deer,
and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
and streams in the desert. Isaiah 35:5, 6
There is no one in my immediate family who lives with a significant disability. But in the last year Jan and I have become acquainted with believers who employ and daily work with Vietnamese with disabilities. We have visited the cafe where the employer is committed to hiring "blind, deaf and lame" to use the words in the above verses. Imagine what good news this verse is to all of those and to the warm hearted woman who runs the cafe - not to make money, but to provide training and employment for those with disabilities who cannot find work elsewhere.
As these workers read a passage like this with a much different perspective than most of us. Imagine how exciting the promise that all disabilities will disappear is for them.
I think of an NGO that hires only those who have severe hearing disabilities. Employment is scarce for these young adults, but at this NGO they make greeting cards that are very intricate, lovely stuffed animals and nativity sets that are very unusual. These young men and women are doing well but I am sure they read these verses with a very different perspective than most of us.
While Jesus walked on planet earth, He restored some blinded eyes, unstopped some deaf ears, healed some lame legs. But in Isaiah 35 we find this wonderful promise for all who suffer serious disabilities: total, universal healing is coming!
Appreciating your blog, and this post in particular. Thank you, and blessings to you and Jan!
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