The Sheer Sweetness of Shriveled Limbs: Why I Marvel at God's Chosen Infirmity
Okay, friends, let's talk about something that's been on my heart lately: the way God sometimes chooses to show His glory through…well, through what we might call “challenges.” I know that can sound kind of…odd, maybe even harsh, but stick with me here. I’m talking about the “shriveled limb” moments in life, both literally and figuratively. You know, those things that make you think, "Whoa, that's…intense."
Recently, I've been really digging into the stories of the Bible, and honestly, the way God uses even the seemingly “broken” things is just mind-blowing. Take the story of the man with the withered hand in Matthew 12:9-13, for instance. Jesus, right there in the synagogue, doesn't just ignore this man's suffering. Instead, He uses that very infirmity, that shriveled hand, as a canvas to demonstrate His power to heal, and to challenge the rigid rules of the Pharisees. Talk about making a statement! It’s like God says, “Even in what appears to be a limitation, I can bring forth beauty and reveal my glory.”
For me, this really hit home a few years ago when my grandmother suffered a stroke. It left her right side partially paralyzed, and watching her struggle with simple things, like buttoning a shirt or holding a cup, it was heartbreaking. But you know what? What seemed like a setback became, in so many ways, a testament to her resilience and her reliance on God. She had always been a strong, independent woman, and this new challenge didn't break her. It actually deepened her faith. The community rallied around her, and we witnessed so much love and grace during that time. It was messy and hard, yes, but there was this undercurrent of God’s presence in every tiny victory, every day she fought to regain her strength. Just like that withered hand, her physical limitations didn't define her; rather they showcased her strength, her spirit, and God’s power working through her.
I also think about Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” that he talks about in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. He begged God to take it away, but God responded, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Wow. It’s like, yeah, sometimes we’re gonna have these things, these struggles, these "shriveled limbs", whatever those may look like in our own lives. Maybe it's not a physical issue, maybe it’s a failing in our personality, a struggle with addiction, a difficult relationship. But the point isn't to wish it away; it’s to recognize that those moments are opportunities for God to shine, for His power to be made known in our weakness. I can see this in my own life, how even the things that feel like "shriveled limbs" – my own anxieties, my own doubts - have been the very spaces where God’s grace and love have shone through the brightest.
It’s like a beautiful, intricate tapestry. We might see the knots on the back, the uneven threads, the parts that don't seem "perfect" at all. But God sees the whole picture, the beauty that comes from the entire piece, imperfections and all. We have to trust that He can use even what feels like our biggest setbacks, our most glaring “shriveled limbs” for His ultimate glory. That's why I’ve started to appreciate those difficult moments. It's not about pretending that they’re not hard, it’s about seeing how God works *through* them, not *despite* them. It's about recognizing the sheer sweetness – the deep, abiding, spiritual sweetness – that can be found even in the most challenging parts of our lives. It’s in those moments that we often draw closest to God, learn to rely on Him most completely, and begin to understand the depth of His love and power.
How have you seen God’s strength made perfect in your weakness? Where in your life might you have a "shriveled limb" that God is waiting to use for His glory?