Friday, October 24, 2008

Rejected and Blemished...Now a Living Sacrifice!

This little lamb is a living sacrifice.

According to the Old Testament laws of sacrifice, I would have been rejected, not even considered, and in some instances killed or abandoned.

Only unblemished, perfect lambs were accepted as a sacrifice to the Lord.

Now I can tell you, growing up with a noticeable disability this has always irritated me to no end. I have never liked the fact that God even specifically said you could not use a lame animal. "I'm lame! Does that mean you reject me? Does it mean that you will never be able to use me?" I'd cry!

I knew that Jesus had changed that with the New Testament covenant, and that He had made me a new creation...whole in His sight. I also knew Jesus compassion to those with disabilities. Start in any of the gospels, you can't go two pages without Jesus showing compassion and healing someone with a disability. He even answers the disciples question about why a certain blind man was born that way, "To glorify God in Heaven." So you see the compassion and you see that it was not a punishment to have a disability. You also see that God will use the disability to Glorify Himself.

So although I was not the perfect sacrifice for sin, God did not reject me. Instead He made me whole!

This is what I hold to. This is what gives my disability meaning for me. I am here, it is allowed, and because of my faith I will be a living sacrifice to glorify God.

Edie over at http://richgifts.blogspot.com has asked in her Random Question about being a living sacrifice. Go see her and answer this question for yourself.

I know that I am put here for God's glory. I know that God did not look down the year I was born and say to himself, "Hummm, I don't have enough disabled people being born....Ah, here is a little blond haired little girl, I'll give her one." NO! I do believe that because sin entered the world, disabilities happen. I do believe God allowed it to happen to me. But I also believe that at that same time He gave me everything I needed to conquer it within my physical make-up, my emotional make-up and most importantly, If I would turn to Him I would be able to not only conquer it but He would destroy it for me come eternity.

I became a living sacrifice with my disability the moment I asked Him to save me. He has turned it to a story. A story of hope. He has turned it into a ministry. I help others with disabilities and help churches know how to open their doors to those with disabilities. I also help those of you with hidden unseen disabilities realize that we all have them. If God would have had to choose one of us as a sacrifice, we all would have been rejected.

What is your disability? Your blemish? Is it something physical, mental, emotional, or is it some hidden and unconfessed sin?

Give it to Jesus. He will take it and use it for His glory. He will turn it into a living sacrifice!

I love you my friends...blemishes and all!
Pamela

12 comments:

Kay Martin said...

My spiritual mentor of decades is grandmother to two cerebral palsey grandchildren. I have been amazed to see how God has worked through this to show His wonderful light and glory.

I knew there was something about you that was glorious. Yes, you are a living sacrifice.

This week a minister in the operations with the inmates discussed some ministry he wants to take all over the country. I put in my two cents worth...told him I'd love to go with him. He seemed underwhelmed until I told him my story. He lit up; yes, Ms. Kay I need you to help me with this work.

See, if we have no pain, no story...we have no fit in ministry. This is the "stuff" that lasts eternally. Yes...living sacrifices; and lasting destiny.

Sharon said...

YOU ARE a living sacrifice. You are a special child of God and he has great plans for you.
Truly enjoyed your post, Have a Blessed weekend my friend.

Leaon Mary said...

Good morning!
I found you through Edie's random question. ~ What a beautiful answer you gave. And I've witnessed time and time again, how God uses our disabilities, afflictions, for His glory and to help others. Have you ever been aware and went through motions before only to find out ... much time... maybe years later that this incredible purpose happened?!!
Well, Just wanted to say hi,... and let you know that I believe it was meant to be that you wrote this very post today.
Blessings,
Lea
<*)))><

Jules from "The Roost" said...

Beautiful post! We all needed to hear that!

Leaon Mary said...

YES, I DEFINITELY need a new friend. heehee
I love it here! Love the pink shoes too!
Lea
I'm off to rid my house of the mountains of chocolate. Time to CLEAN MY "house"

Edie said...

Hi Pamela! What a great post. I was recently reading in Leviticus and how God would not accept a lame animal as a sacrafice (lucky little lamb), and stopped to consider that too. But it didn't even cross my mind as I read Romans 12:1. Well duh! God speaks to each of us as we need at that moment.

I used to work for a company that manufactured computer access products for people with disabilities and I used to often think (and sometimes say) "We all have a disability, but some people hide it better."

Kelly said...

Great post Pamela, and what wonderful comments here too. Yes, we all have STUFF. My issues aren't physcial, but sister I have issues galore!

You are a beautiful lamb of God!

On Purpose said...

You my friend are an amazing woman of God who is shining very bright in a dark world. Thank you God for creating Pam. Bless her and her family!

The Equipped Life said...

Wow... very honest and thought provoking. I'll be thinking about your comments for a while.

Blessings!

Elizabethd said...

God sees us as perfect.
thought provoking post, thank you Pamela.

LynnSC said...

Awesome Post Pamela!!

Yes, we all have our disabilities. Some are just hidden a little better than others. God loves us and uses us just the way we are.

Thankful for our friendship.
Lynn

Joyfulsister said...

Amen and Amen!!
I remember when I got diagnosed with a serious chronic liver illness in 1997, my husband and I had been doing a Music Ministry and we are evangelists sharing the Gospel through our songs and testimonies. I asked the Lord how could he continue to use me with my disability, I remember so clearly the words he spoke to my heart saying.. Lorie I will not use you any less in fact I will use you even more, and you will write songs and have a greater testimony because of it. and he has held on to his promise till this day.

Hugz Lorie