Wilma Rudolph was afflicted with polio as a child. Despite that, she went on to become an accomplished sprinter. She was the first African American woman to win three gold medals at the Olympian Games in 1960. James Earl Jones, the voice of CNN, had to overcome a stutter that was so bad he refused to speak in school. He learned to speak without stuttering by reading poetry. We cannot know why some people enter the world with handicaps, yet go on to accomplish great things. Neither can we explain why some people go their entire life physically challenged. What we know is that the physically challenged give us opportunities to help them. That is what the Apostle Peter did when he came upon Aeneas who had been paralyzed for eight years. We read in Acts chapter 9 what Peter said to him: “‘Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Get up, and roll up your sleeping mat!’ and he was healed instantly.” When the local people saw this man walking around, they turned to the Lord. When we use our abilities and resources to assist those who may be physically challenged, we do the work of Christ and can expect our Lord to honor what we do for Him.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
