Shake off that Label!

“You might have been put in a deprived mental state of mind that you would not be able to exceed a certain threshold…”

Over the years, I  noticed that children between the age of 2 and 7 years go through certain behavioural and mental developments which are so amazing. These physical and mental growths  are displayed in different manners. Some are displayed in their speech; assertions in their requests, emphatic in their advances and persistence in their orders. Especially when it comes to seeking assistance in trying to wear clothes or wanting to open the kitchen door or any other action they felt must be done. Further to this attitude, I have also noticed that they ask more questions in a day more than an average adult ask in a week. Getting involved in any discussion with them, you must be prepared to answer their multifarious queries on any matter, whether related to what you are doing together at that moment or not. They check and clarify every matter. They want to know why you are at home with them, why you have to take to take them through a  certain route to school five days of the week and why they need to go bed, even when they are dozing off, while they sit on your lap.

I therefore thought it is very crucial to rationalise these attitudes and why these questions are being asked in relations to these simultaneous occurrences of the earlier mentioned developments. What I discovered is that children within this age range are at the stage where these natural and mental developments must begin to take place, and if they are not, there is a reason for a parent to begin to get worried. That is contrary to the case of the man at the pool of Bethesda as recorded according to the gospel of St. John, chapter 5:

“After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralysed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” (John 5:1-15).

It is shocking that for thirty eight years, this young man decided to retard himself to the same condition and remained at the same spot of destitution. From all indications, it could be ascertained that if he had yielded to the natural and mental development that every human being go through, he would have been healed. His response was that there was no one to help him move whenever the need arises. The question is why would you continue to blame someone for your situation? Why would you not take responsibility for your current situation? Why would you keep blaming your parents for you not having the best of education or not being financially comfortable? Why would you blame your drug addiction on your family, society or the government? “The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” (John 15:7).

Take Responsibility for Your Life

According to the words of C.S Lewis, “He wants them to learn to walk and therefore take away His hands, and if only the will to walk is really there, He is pleased even with their stumbles”. In the light of these words, it is time to start yielding to the urges inside of you to begin to move in the direction of what your natural instincts is pointing you to. That is where the solution is. Though the society have designed some negative labels, with the ultimate aim to incapacitate you, so would not be able to explore your God-given gifts and talents, but you have the prerogative to stand your ground, go for it and stay focused. You might have been put in a deprived mental state of mind that you would not be able to exceed a certain threshold in your health, business and career due to some man-made expert scientific experiments and advice… That man spent thirty eight years with the infirmity by the pool because he accepted the label which the society had placed upon him as a disabled – having disability, until Jesus came and healed him.

No More Condemnation!

Congratulations that you have life today and it means a lot to Jesus, who has come purposely because of you. It is never too late for the label to be taken off you. “There is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after flesh, but after the spirit. For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death”. (Romans 8:1-2). Despite the numbers of years the man had spent by the pool, he was healed of his disability by Jesus, because he believed: “Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.” (John 5:8). It does not matter what the expert reports are regarding your situation. What matters is that Jesus died and rose on the third day, but on the Cross Calvary, He said it is finished. Look unto Jesus today and accept Him and you will be forgiven of your sins and your infirmities will be taken away.