Can We Justify Our Joy?

“Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

2 Corinthians 4:17

I recently had an enlightening conversation with a colleague. As we walked back to the office from visiting the adult special needs day-program at our church, I had apparently been smiling and giggling without even noticing. My colleague stopped me and asked, “Why are you always so happy after visiting that group? Doesn’t seeing so much disability make you sad?”

Sad? Really? The question took me aback. God has blessed me with so many beautiful friends with disabilities that it’s easy to forget not everyone has those same experiences.

“How can those of us with a passion for disability ministry help those around us to see what we see? Can we justify our joy?”

For some people, even those with the best intentions, the world of disability seems dreary, dark and sad. So in that moment, standing in the hallway I wondered, “How can those of us with a passion for disability ministry help those around us to see what we see? Can we justify our joy?”

From an outside perspective, working with families affected by disability can seem heavy. There is a reality that families affected by disability often experience uncommon struggles that many of us will never be forced into. So why would I choose to enter into their world?

Because in the midst of our struggles God is so very good.

I have continually seen his goodness to these families as he comforts and brings them peace that is far beyond our understanding. God provides these saints a joy that equals and exceeds their sorrow. When a non-verbal child speaks their first word, when a new medication brings needed sleep, when a new therapy provides a reprieve from violent behaviors…a joyful triumph overflows like a fountain.

As I explained this to my colleague, she responded with “Okay, but what about the people themselves? Don’t they live a life filled with struggle?” It was an honest question, and I had an honest answer ready.

“When we look at those around us affected by disability, we see people who experience true happiness. At our respite program we get to see our VIP kids dance and sing in such a way that it is impossible to ignore the cheer exuding from them. It is enough joy to send a rocket to the moon! The gratification is pure. The bliss is guttural. I am quite certain there is not a room in the world that holds as much happiness.”

I am grateful for this conversation with my colleague. It reminds me that there is a message of justified joy that extends beyond our temporary circumstances. 2 Corinthians 4:17 tells us that “our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

Disability ministry is not about sympathy. It is not about the church caring for, feeling sorry for, or tolerating a group who needs us. Our role is so much bigger (and better) than that.

I have learned so much from my friends with disabilities, and as a church we have the privilege of experiencing the world through the eyes of people who see it clearly – without social pressures, without body image, without greed or envy. My desire is to see everyone in our church body come to understand that working within the special needs community is not dismal, but desirable.

If we can shift our culture from assuming ministry to people with disabilities is joyLESS to realizing it is joyFUL, we could go from a place of tolerance to a place of genuine and reciprocal love.

My friends with disabilities are not merely recipients of service, they serve me and show me what the joy of the Lord truly looks like. One day, we will all worship freely. And while some of my friends are not as free to worship with their words or with their bodies, their hearts have freely “tasted and seen the Lord is good,” (Psalm 34:8) and can lead you and I into a deeper understanding of worship.

Can we allow those that we serve to lead and shape us as we learn to love the way Jesus would have us love? May you experience unrestrained, justified joy today.

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Written By—Gina Spivey

Gina Spivey is the Director of Special Needs Ministries at Calvary Community Church in Westlake, CA.