Treasure is kept in clay jars. In the same way, we have the treasure of the good news in these earthly bodies of ours. That shows that the mighty power of the good news comes from God. It doesn't come from us.
- 2 Corinthians 4:7
The significance of the conference's local context was not lost on us: among Washington D.C.'s corridors of power, privilege and position, we celebrated the apparent powerlessness of underprivileged and underrepresented lives in the disabilities community. I was reminded again that Jesus did not identify with the power structures of the age, but walked with people the world cared less about. The spirit of the age still conflicts with the Spirit of Jesus, but just as we were breathing in the refreshing scent of Spring air, the "fragrance of Christ" (2 Corinthians 2:15) was spreading out.
The conference was a breathless weekend of seminars led by community advocates, church leaders, and psychologists, as well as a flurry of activity networking with a wide range of organizations and special needs ministries. In the midst of all the activity, excitement, and inspiring stories of ordinary people with disabilities overcoming extraordinary challenges, the highlight of the weekend for me was the live music of guitarist Tony Melendez.
Born armless as a "thalidomide baby" (his mother was prescribed thalidomide, a drug used to help calm morning sickness during her pregnancy), Tony Melendez travelled to America from Nicaragua to be fitted with artificial arms and the opportunity for freedom. Ironically, at the age of ten Tony had already realized that he was most free with the remarkably adaptable use of his feet, and he disposed of the stifling artificial arms he couldn't relate to.
He began excelling at the guitar and has now picked and strummed with his clubbed foot in front of audiences around the world, including a memorable performance for Pope John Paul II who - visibly moved - approached him through the massive crowd with a kiss of appreciation for the gift of hope Tony had shared with the world. Tony has also appeared on countless prime-time network specials and talk shows and inspires audiences wherever he goes with his giftedness.
We were bathed in the presence of God as he led us in worship fragrant with the life of Christ. His soaring voice and beautiful melodies were stunning to say the least, but even more than his remarkable capability as a guitarist and composer, I was so deeply moved by the way he shared his life and carried us into God's presence.
Recently, I've had the privilege of listening to captivating messages from people with a wide range of disabilities: Cerebral Palsy, Paralysis, and a man born without arms. They all spoke with such disarming simplicity and a message I had heard many times before, "Jesus loves you", "God has a special plan for your life", "Your life is a precious gift from God", and yet somehow they embody the Good News - broken open - exposing our invisible disabilities and concealed flaws. When they speak as simple and vulnerable "jars of clay", the power of God is released in human weaknesses.
While the world is threatened by their visible disabilities and apparent unattractiveness from a worldly point of view, God sees things very differently, and has called these clay jars in their vulnerability as His messengers bearing witness to the power of the Good News to a watching world.
While influential policy-makers and government bureaucrats were preoccupied with global conflicts, a humble and unassuming man of God led us in worship, right into the presence of God, where it matters most. As he sang, I was convinced that when God moves on Capitol Hill and to the far-flung corners of the world, the disabilities community will be at the centre of it all as a blessing to the nations. Come, Holy Spirit, come.
I could feel revival stirring in my spirit, as the cherry blossoms quietly opened to the breath of Spring - the open sky dotted with the drifting of pale pink petals.
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