In the book of Acts, we read that “a certain man lame from his mother’s womb” was placed at the temple gate every day so he could spend the day begging worshipers for small gifts (see 3:1–11). Jesus’ disciples Peter and John were on their way for an hour of prayer when he asked them for a donation. Peter asked the lame man to look at them, and he did, with expectation. “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” Peter lifted up the lame man, who immediately received strength in his feet and ankles and walked. He then went with Peter and John into the temple (previously forbidden to him because of his deformity), leaping and praising God. You can picture his sheer delight.
There was a time when I needed a new place to live, but I was struggling with a lack of finances. In studying this story, I asked myself, “Am I believing that I have become ‘lame,’ so to speak, unable to be adequately productive so I can care for myself and my children? Am I laid at the gate of the temple, feeling helpless and asking for handouts? Do I feel unworthy to enter into the temple?”
I knew the answer to each of these questions should be “No.” But I decided to think through each one to understand better why the answer is “No.”
