Being a physically disabled Christian often requires responding graciously to assumptions that my able-bodied brothers and sisters in Christ make. One friend envied all the extra time I have to study God’s Word (never mind that everything takes longer and my Personal Care Attendant schedule limits the hours I have on my computer). Countless people think of me as a prayer warrior (never mind that I struggle more with prayer than any other spiritual discipline). And almost everyone assumes I wish I could walk (believe me, I’d much rather be rid of my speech defect).
But the assumption that most bothers me is that I can’t wait for my resurrection body.
Friends often talk about having foot races with me in heaven. They envision me pushing them around in wheelbarrows (as payback for all the times they pushed me around in my manual wheelchair), and they anticipate dancing with me or wearing me out on a celestial tennis court. And I appreciate their desire to see me free of my Cerebral Palsy, with all its muscle tension, skeleton distortions and limitations. Of course my resurrection body will be a wonderful relief after my earthly lifetime as a quadriplegic.
I am looking forward to having a glorified body, but not so that I can run and leap and dance. As wonderful as those things may be, I believe they will take a very distant second to the real joy of heaven.
Revelation 5:6-14 is my favorite description of heaven. Please click this link and read it. You’ll find no mention of healed bodies or formerly disabled people playing tennis, but you most definitely will find multitudes praising the Lord Jesus Christ, centering all their attention completely on Him. You’ll find adoring declarations of His worthiness to receive honor and glory because of His work on the cross.
Our resurrection bodies certainly will be liberated from physical weaknesses, but that liberation has a purpose far beyond our physical comfort. Ultimately, our resurrected bodies will be free from the corruption of sin.
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. ~~Romans 8:18-25 (ESV)
Recently, a friend of mine remarked to me that once we have our resurrected bodies we will be able to worship the Lord without mixed motives. No more wondering if others see how spiritual we look. No more trying to manipulate Him into giving us what we want. Our glorified bodies will enable us to worship Him in total purity, with no sin polluting our praise.
I don’t really care about being set free from my disability in heaven, though I know I’ll praise the Lord for that blessing as well. I eagerly await a resurrection body no longer infected by sin. A body free to praise the Lord Jesus Christ with pure motives. A body that can stand before His glory and holiness without flinching in shame. I long to see His face.
The Outspoken TULIP 
This was good learning for me, recently being diagnosed with a permanent vision problem. It’s all I dwell on, being able to see perfectly in Heaven, when I really should be anticipating perfect worship of God in Heaven. Thanks so much.
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Let yourself grieve over your diagnosis, though. Yes, God has His sovereign purposes in it, but it’s still a tremendous loss! I pray that He’ll show you grace during this adjustment period.
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Thank you for your kind words and prayers. It is really difficult.
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I do appreciate your desire to be obedient to God’s Word when it comes to the authority of scripture, but 1 Timothy 2:11 speaks to the church, or a similar assembly of believers…I feel sure it would not include a blogpost on the internet.
God bless you for your faithfulness to Him!
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I’m not sure I agree, since that passage doesn’t specify church assemblies. I could be wrong. However, I’ve always thought it best to err on the side of caution.
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Brought me to tears- we all share in the same glorious hope. The Lord bless you, sister.
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Wise and insightful words, for sure. Thank you Debbie.
Is there a chance that you were at the GTY Radio Bible Conference in 1983? If so, we’ve met. I remember a group of us having coffee after an evening session, which included a young lady who came to the conference as an unbeliever, and left as a new creation in Christ.
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Wasn’t me. I’d been saved for twelve years at that point, but was still trapped in Charismatic teaching. My “Autobiography With Purpose” series details the Lord’s gracious dealings with me.
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What an encouraging post, thank you.
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Great writing! I so get that heart. Give me Jesus.
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We have a 6 year old daughter with quad cp. Your blog was just recommended to me. Beautiful post. ❤
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Let me know if I can help.
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This is a beautiful post, and very helpful. I confess, I’ve probably been like one of your well meaning friends, but you are absolutely right and thank you for being honest in reminding me that our resurrection bodies are for the glory of Christ.
Keep up the good work here.
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Thank you for sharing such beautiful truth. Our hope is in Christ alone. I too, long for that day when I can see Him face to face, the fulfillment of all my deepest longings.
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I can truly relate to this. I’ve been in a wheelchair for almost six years now, and a lot of people around me focus on how limited I must feel in this broken body. I’m twenty seven, so it’s understandable that people would think that all I want to do is run and dance like most other young women. I try to explain that this body doesn’t limit what God can do with me!
Like you, I much more look forward to having no sin than having no physical problems. When I get to heaven, I think running and dancing won’t be my top priorities. I’ll want to just be a part of that great worship. And the joy of that worship and fellowship will be far greater than any joy I get from being able to do the things that I can’t do in my earthly body.
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I always say walking is overrated. 😀
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An wonderful, edifying, hope giving read. And I love the window ad directly behind you, nicely played 😉
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My mother wanted her grandchildren to call her Nana, but when we tried to teach the oldest to say it, it came out as “Neena.” After that, we all called her Neena. Several years after I moved to the Greater Boston Area, I saw that ad on Newbury Street and was amused.
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You are an inspiration to me with your wisdom and godly perspective! God bless you big time!
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Reblogged this on Katherine's Chronicle and commented:
Convicting….
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Oh, I so agree, and thank you for that encouragement, its so needed. EVen our view of heaven is more fixed on our earthly bodies and not our spiritual minds. To no longer feel bitterness, confusion, no longer to live with a divided mine that comes from sin…Yes my sister, you have called it right and other I am sure are inspired by your words. Glad I clicked on you sight, beautiful read.
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