WWI: Worshipping While Impaired

Read Time: 3 minutes

“On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled.”‭‭ Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬ 

The Beautiful Gate cripple sat at the gate but this man made it in. However, his right hand was shriveled, withered. Something vital was missing. So he cannot lift up his right hand in worship nor in prayers. He is forced to conduct his worship and his life around the missing limb. On any day his wife forgot to put his offering in his left pocket, giving would be a struggle. You have heard of driving while impaired, this is worshipping while impaired. Of course, not in the alcohol abuse sense that Eli wrongly accused Hannah of. Or the Corinthian church was actually guilty of, during the Lord’s Supper!

This man symbolizes many in our churches today, whose worship and even entire existence are impacted, and sometimes impaired by something that is missing in their lives. There is a loss of someone, loss of something, an incompleteness somewhere that is not only in the way of their worship, but also casting a long and deep shadow over their entire existence. For this man it was the loss of a limb, it was physical, it could be seen. However, for many today what is missing isn’t something as physical as a loss of a limb. Theirs are of a deeper nature, theirs are unseen.

The effects of such unseen issues could often be worse than the seen. The rich also cry; when they do, it is usually on matters that cut them so deeply and yet they cannot cut a cheque to mend. Deeper psychological, emotional or unseen issues can sometimes prove to be more afflicting than external ones. Some would happily give a limb to get someone or something back in their lives. There have been people who eagerly donated body parts, so that their sick loved ones could have a chance, even if tiny, at recovery.

Two things we can safely assume from the man’s story; one, that he did not give up on God. Two, because he had earlier sat through Jesus teaching and it was also Jesus that initiated his healing; he was NOT seeking and worshipping God primarily for his healing. He was a God-focused, not a need-focused worshipper. Let us take these two lessons to heart.

If like this man, there is something missing in your worship or in your life? Here is a word of comfort from your God; “comfort, comfort my people, says your God” (Isaiah 40:1 NIV). God sees you, He hasn’t forgotten you. Let us not forget how the story ended  “…and then said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his hand was completely restored” (Luke 6:10 NIV).  Jesus had to ‘break’ the norm to restore his arm, to restore what was missing in his life. The good news is, Jesus is still a restorer today, ever happy to break norms if needed, as “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV). 

“But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy, and Jacob will possess his inheritance..” (Obadiah 1:17 NIV). Although, Zion is thus so described, the Bible also recognizes that not all who gather to worship in Zion are experiencing deliverance, nor possessing their inheritance as yet. There are those who are still grieving in Zion. God has plans for this cohort too. Great plans, In fact;

”And provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. ” Isaiah 61:3

– Ola Bosun Ajidahun

©2026 Ola Bosun Ajidahun . All Rights Reserved. New Blogs are Posted Every Saturday Afternoon 1 PM Mountain Time

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