REFLECTIONS

Drafted

With a stern look in his eyes and his finger pointing straight at everyone that looked his way, Uncle Sam said, “I Want YOU.” The World War I poster called for volunteers to meet our country’s need for military enlistees. The poster was so impactful that it was returned to service during World War II. But this time the call for volunteers was not enough to attract the military forces required. So, thousands upon thousands of young men were drafted into service of their country to preserve the freedom we enjoy today—drafted to go places they did not choose, to fight a war they did not start.

The U. S. military is a finely honed machine with the most sophisticated weapons and equipment in the world. But the foundation of its strength is in physical conditioning, order and obedience, and training for every task the war effort will require. And then there are some who are selected to train for special duty. Life works that way too.

Just ask Helen Keller about her assignment to set an example of courage and faith while living in a dark and silent world. Or ask Joni Eareckson Tada about her message of hope delivered to those impaired by physical disabilities after a diving accident sentenced her athletic body to life in a wheelchair.

Or perhaps each of us should simply look to ourselves. Each of us has a life like no one else; but like everyone else, each of us has burdens to carry.  Often we wonder why. The man blind from birth in Jesus day remembers the answer to that question, “… this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.” (John 9:3)

Through our burdens, God points his finger straight at you and me and says, “I Want YOU.” He extends a never ending invitation for volunteers but most are drafted for special duty. Sometimes the duty requires endurance of disappointments, hardships, pain or suffering. But as one mother explained to her son after a tragic accident altered his life, “You can let it become your excuse, or you can make it your story.”

Helen Keller made her burdens into an inspiration to the world. Joni Eareckson Tada has given hope to the physically impaired from her wheelchair. And the blind man—well, the burden of his life was used to display the healing hands of Jesus.

Through our burdens, God has drafted you and me to special service. Now we have a choice to make. We can use them as an excuse. Or in service to God, we can make them our stories.

You are the light of the world,

Richard +

www.reflectingthesavior.org

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