Confronting Barriers

The apostle Paul wrote in 2nd Corinthians 12 about a malady that he had, one that God did not heal - the reason: to keep him humble. We can't recognize while God heals some and doesn't heal others, but we can trust in His love and His sovereignty. Paul wrote:
9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

When the Summer Olympic Games are history, Paris will, later this month, be the host for the Paralympic Games, which offers the opportunity for impaired athletes to compete and to demonstrate to the world that despite barriers, they can showcase their abilities.

One of the participants will be track star Daniel Romanchuk, who, according to Movieguide, "...shocked the world with his talent when he took home gold at the Tokyo Paralympic Games in the 400-meter T54 for wheelchair racing and bronze in the marathon T54."

The article notes that he said to Fox News: “It’s a huge honor to be able to go to the Games and to represent the U.S. on a world stage,” adding, “After everything had sunk in with winning the 400, at first, I was just thankful. Really thankful to God for the opportunities that I’ve had."  Movieguide goes on to report:

Before Romanchuk’s birth, his parents knew he had myelomeningocele spina bifida and would never be able to walk. However, they knew that his life would be full of meaning.

“We were in shock a couple of days,” his mom Kim said. “But then came that understanding and true knowledge that this was not a surprise to God. He will use this for good and that what we see as hopeless, God knows and God’s got it — we just had to truly trust that and give it over to Him.”

That was a quote from an article from the Assemblies of God website, which says that if you ask Daniel...

...what or who he is, and it isn’t “elite athlete,” “engineering student,” or “Paralympian” that comes from his lips. Instead, he states with firm warmth: “I’m a child of God.”

His pastor describes him as a "very committed Christ-follower," according to that article.  

It goes on to say:

In addition to involvement at church, the Romanchuk family has helped facilitate respite times several times a year where kids with disabilities can be dropped off for hours of fun while providing parents a break. They have also donated equipment and worked with groups such as Joni and Friends to refurbish wheelchairs for individuals around the world.

Movieguide also noted:

The gold medalist just got engaged last month.

He posted on Instagram, “She said ‘Yes!’ Forever thankful to God for bringing us together and excited for a lifetime to grow together in love for each other and Him❤️”

What an inspiration this young man can be to so many people, sharing a message that despite the barriers, a person can fulfill his or her God-given potential.  He - as well as his family - demonstrate the ability to trust God, even through negative life circumstances.  I'm reminded of the Christian speaker David Ring, whose website notes: 

As one who has not been stifled by his physical limitations, he clearly stakes his challenge to everyone. “I have Cerebral Palsy–what’s your problem?”

We can become so wrapped up in our own problems, can't we?  And, God is calling us to see our challenges as opportunities through which He can be glorified.  In so doing, we send a message to the people around us, perhaps people who are lacking hope in their lives, that truly there is hope in Jesus Christ.