Attitude Check

(Proverbs 26:7 KJV)  The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

This is so politically incorrect and insensitive according to our modern standards that it deserves a close look.  It seems to mock the “lame” (6455).  Not really.  It is actually mocking the “fools” (3684) by making a statement of fact.  Perhaps we should use this as our standard rather than the current fur ball theology.  Full disclosure:  My gift of mercy allocation is so small that even I notice it is missing.  I am aware of this and try to compensate. 

I had the kids at school asking me if I had some syndrome I had never heard of.  They were talking about my eyes.  I am cock-eyed.  It has many terms, such as lazy eye, but it is a genetic thing.  I guess I am focus challenged.  It is the way I am.  I could have gone all sensitive and freaked out because the kids were “mocking” me.  I just laughed and told them I always called it “cock-eyed.”  We are what we are.  We should not get caught up in denial or being language police.  I am cock-eyed.  Some are lame.  Some are blind.  It is what it is.

Handicaps are nothing to be ashamed of.  Picture the man born blind that Jesus healed.  The Jewish leaders were trying to claim he was born blind because of the sin in him or his parents.  They were using his problem to glorify themselves and control those less fortunate.  Jesus said, to the contrary, he was born blind to show the power of God.  Too often we look at our limitations and think someone needs to be blamed.  We look for victims and scapegoats.  Try to wrap a God’s-eye perspective around things.

Our limitations exist for the glory of God.  Remember what Paul said.

(II Corinthians 12:9 NASB) And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness."  Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

I quote the NASB because I like the word "boast" better than the phrase "glory in."

Think of people who have overcome physical limitations to be successful.  Would anyone have ever heard of Joni Erickson Tada if she had not suffered from a tragic accident?  This is not to say, “Oh, joy.  Another person injured.”  It is to say that God can take any situation we are in and remake it for His glory.  The key is in how we respond.

I do not speak from extreme experience.  I have big feet and a lazy eye.  These are not exactly big handicaps!  But any one of us can take small deficiencies and magnify them into real handicaps.  It depends on our attitude and our faith.  In this verse the problem was not the Proverb.  It was not the broken body.  It was the attitude which made the fool.

So?  Attitude Check.  Certain things are good to do regularly.  I can almost feel the attitude coming on at times.  It helps if I move to nip it in the bud.  I start thinking about my blessings.  I remember the price Jesus paid.  I allow the Holy Spirit to lift me as I call on God.  I remind myself that I am called to be a servant, not the Lord of the Manor.  For me it works.