It's the Small Things

“The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20-21)

The Pharisees had asked Jesus when the kingdom of God would come, and Jesus’ answer was profound.  Like today’s church, the Pharisees were looking for something grandiose from a worldly perspective.  Perhaps they were looking for an orchestral procession on a red carpet, awards and accolades to those who were of the most service to the church.  Jesus’ answer was far less attractive.  Jesus response was that the work of the kingdom of God is within.  The work of the kingdom of God is far less sexy and alluring than the spiritual leaders of Jesus’ day would have it.  There were no celebration Sundays, nor awards for hours of service.  The kingdom of God within is the humbling of the spirit culminating in complete submission to God’s design for your life.  This verse resonates with my soul being the mother of a child with special needs.  In the world's economy, having a child with special needs means:

• I cannot participate as often as I would like in church events.
• I cannot lead in church the way I would like to lead.
• I cannot be the display of the perfect pastor’s wife within the church, as the pharisees would have seen fit.

In GOD'S ECONOMY, having a child with special needs means that God is constantly working his kingdom out from within.  My soul is humbled; my spirit is sometimes crushed; and, my heart cries out for Jesus.  The kingdom is being worked out by God not for public display but for His glory in the small things.  There is no show, no award for being the best special needs mom, nor earthly glory.  His glory awaits as I live out God’s love for me and my son daily in surrender to Christ Jesus.

A Place for All Children

“So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons.”  (2 Samuel 9:11)

Mephibosheth was the son of David’s best friend, Jonathan, and grandson to King Saul.  David had made a covenant with his friend Jonathan which extended to Jonathan’s descendants, as well.  In a covenant relationship, the two men pledged to protect and extend provision to one another and any of their descendants.  David loved Jonathan like a brother, and upon discovering Jonathan’s death, David searched for any surviving relatives.  Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s disabled son, is whom King David found.  David not only showed kindness to Mephibosheth, but he restored to his friend’s son all the land that belonged to his grandfather, King Saul, provided servants to work the land, and declared that Mephibosheth would always eat “at David’s table like one of the king’s sons”. 

This man who in that day and age would have been a beggar on the streets due to a physical disability was seated with honor at King David’s table as a royal heir to the covenant shared between his father and David.  This is a beautiful picture of how God views our special children who are often excluded from society.  Our children are to be seated with the King and treated as royalty, with honor and dignity.  God made a covenant with us through his son Jesus, and that covenant includes our children.  The church is to model this covenant and honor our children in seating them at the table with their typical peers.  For churches who claim to have a place for “all children”, I challenge you to make a place for your Mephibosheths.  Make them feel valued as co-heirs with Christ to the Royal Priesthood of Believers.  Then, and only then, are you truly a home for “all children” who live in your communities.

Lord, help our churches to prepare a place for all our children regardless of ability because we are all heirs through Christ Jesus to the mercy and grace you have provided to us as your covenant children.