Music Monday: “Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)” by Casting Crowns
By: Debbie Waltz
I wish everyone a very joyous and Happy Easter celebration. I truly hope that you had the opportunity to spend some quality time celebrating the recent holiday alongside my friends and family. Last week, my mom, my dad, and I stepped away from marketing for a brief time and headed to Virginia Beach. Although there was a noticeable breeze during the first days of our stay, the weather grew considerably calmer as the week progressed. Engaging in personal retreats offers individuals a valuable opportunity to dedicate time to introspection and to meticulously review accomplishments and future aspirations. It’s also a chance to recharge my batteries and remind myself of what really matters.
While writing fiction undeniably offers me a new platform to share my story and experiences as a disabled person, providing a profound sense of purpose, it’s important to note that this is not my ultimate goal.
Yes, it’s a source of encouragement for people.
Yes, it empowers parents with disabilities to embrace the future and recognize their child’s capabilities.
Yes, it allows people with disabilities to dream again in a society that only sees what someone “can’t” do-They see what’s possible!
Yes, it recognizes the tireless job of the caregiver and gives them a voice among the noise. You are seen, loved, and appreciated for the job you do. Many parents could not do it without you – and they know it.
As fundamental as these reasons are, there’s one more reason that I hope has popped out of every single post I write.
It’s Jesus. Without him, I can do nothing. (John 15:5 KJV)
It’s true. As much as I’d like to take the credit for my writing. It’s all God’s doing. My creative nature and love for books led me to read as many as possible. As time went on, I noticed a scarcity of accurate portrayals of disabled individuals in literature, particularly those examined through a research-based analytical lens. I wanted to change that. By sharing insights into living with a disability, acknowledging its inherent difficulties with realism, and cultivating a space for open dialogue, this work offers a valuable resource for readers. All while pushing back against the stereotype of disability being an inspiration.
I’m simply striving to live my life to the fullest, just like everyone else.
Writing allowed me a distinct chance to process my personal struggles as I navigated the gap between my aspirations for the future and the practical limitations imposed by my disability. It provided an opportunity to address the struggles I was experiencing in connecting with my peers at school.
My pastor reminded me that none of this will matter if we don’t keep perspective in mind. This means prioritizing God and maintaining an eternal outlook. The Christian path has consistently involved difficulties and oppression, prompting individuals to ponder the sacrifices required. Despite the challenges, some individuals steadfastly held onto their faith, directing their gaze towards Jesus.
Job was one of those men. In the biblical narrative of Job, God specifically draws Satan’s attention to Job’s exceptional righteousness, describing him as a man who is blameless, reveres God, and lives an upright life. Given the exceptionally high praise, Satan makes a request to God for permission to undertake a test of the individual. In the following 42 chapters, Job endures various hardships, including the loss of his possessions and family, as well as physical ailments. He remains steadfast in his faith despite these trials, refusing to believe he has lost everything and rejecting his friends’ counsel to curse God. He maintains God has the prerogative to act according to His will, not challenging divine sovereignty.
However, there’s an aspect of Job that people frequently overlook. Job expresses a strong desire in Job 19:23-27 to share his newfound understanding. As he reflects on what he believes to be his last moments, his thoughts also turn to envisioning his eternal future. Despite everything Job has been through, he’s confident that he will see God one day in the flesh.
Not because of anything he’s done, but what Jesus completed on the cross.
The song “Glorious Day” by Casting Crowns serves as a powerful reminder to cultivate that very same conviction within ourselves. The transformative power of God should be evident in our lives, serving as a testament to others. Life will undoubtedly present challenges (John 16:33). This experience only serves to bring us closer to the Lord, shaping us to be more like Him and bringing us one step closer to our true home.