Placard
Originally scheduled for August 30
Youever seen one of these before? This one
happens to be from the state of California, but they look the same
pretty much all across the country. The theory behind this is that
it will allow you to park in a handicap space, which is a space
which is usually closer to where you’re going. It saves the disabled
person from a long walk across a large parking lot. Well, at least
it should.
This particular one is expired. Like most other
disabled people with a parking placard, he has learned to use it
only when the doors are locked. It is a frequent occurrence that
people will park in that space and never bother with such a placard.
It is a commonplace event to pull up into a handicap space and see
several cars parked in the handicap parking stalls without such a
placard. Perhaps most irritating of all is that the usual
perpetrators don’t look at all like the kind of person you think of
as being disabled. But they drive a Cadillac, or Mercedes – and I
guess that makes up for it, at least in their minds. Some of those
disabilities are quite painful, but show no obvious signs. (Your
author suffers from Parkinson’s disease; he would gladly give you
the blue placard and walk the full length of the pocket parking lot
in exchange for giving Parkinson’s back to whoever gave it to him.)
When you confront someone with this, they don’t
see the problem. After all, they like to park at the front of the
lot too. Those people with blue placards have it so easy! Why, that
rollator is nothing but a convenience. The fact that his wife Esther
lifted out of the trunk (by herself) never seems to be noticed.
Which brings us to the subject of communion.
There are many people in this world who believe that being Christian
is something that is intrinsically easy. When they see communion,
they see it as something that confirms their opinion that God will
watch over his Christians and never let them suffer injury or
persecution. Sure, you can be a Christian — if you want to take the
lazy way about it.
But the guy with a handicap placard knows
better. He knows that God uses the suffering of his Christians for
vital purposes. Consider these the things:
·
Christians have to undergo severance
of the will know what it’s like, and be ready to comfort those who
have it. We are to be ready to bring Christ’s love to those who are
suffering.
·
Christians have to undergo suffering
so that they will understand that God is not a magic protector. You
wouldn’t raise your children without teaching them to walk. You
don’t raise your Christian children without teaching them to run to
God.
·
Perhaps most important of all: you
need to see in your own suffering a small model of the suffering of
Christ at the Cross. For one you know is suffering, you know His
love. “For God so loved the world…”
And out of that suffering comes is wonderful
care for his Christians. It is not that he prevents trouble, but
guides us through it. So as you partake in the cup, remember the
blood of Christ, shed for your sins. Remember the bread,
representing his body, torn and suffering for you. Then take the
comfort that came from him given to you and carry it to those He
loves.
