Are you a beggar?

Its quite a sad situation in Thailand (and other countries) that there are many beggars who were forcefully crippled or disabled by their owner, sometimes even their parents! Its an extremely horrible thing. They have to beg, but whats worse they don't even get to keep what they get. It all goes to their master.

Today, I realized that there is in fact a parallel in the spiritual world, even amongst Christians. Many Christians have been seriously hurt and wounded by the slave master of this world. They are crippled, and beg, but what do they beg for? They beg for sympathy, they cry out for people to see the hurt that has been done to them, but what do they get for it? Nothing! All the glory goes to the enemy. Just like the evil slave master he is, he takes everything and leaves the beggars with nothing! Its a sad and hopeless place to be in.

The truth is, there is Healer, he came to set us free and make us whole again, so that we wouldn't be crippled any more, so that we wouldn't have to beg anymore, so that we wouldn't be robbed by Satan anymore, so that we wouldn't be enslaved to this slave master's purposes and we wouldn't be his source of glory any more. Why do so many people choose to live the begging life then? They could be healed. They could be set free, but they opt to stay with their evil slave master. Maybe because its familiar, maybe because it gives them an excuse for inaction.

I don't mean to belittle anyone's hurt, and I don't profess to understand everyone's experience. But I have seen people close to me hurt. One of the most inspirational and influential people in my life, had their wings broken, they were crippled by "church", but in time they allowed God to heal them. They no longer wallow in self-pity begging for "glory" for the fallen one. I've seen them soar higher than they could possibly soar merely on their own wings.

This is my earnest cry for those that have been hurt that they would be healed in Jesus name. I know my Redeemer lives. This Reedemer takes the broken and restores them. He takes the enemies plans and throws them back in the enemies face. He stands proud and says "look at my child now!" He gives instead of takes. He builds instead of breaks. He will never forsake us or wrong us. He will forever be the Good Shepherd!