And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. Acts 3:2-3
REFERENCE
Acts 3:1-9
The beggar in this account was born with a limitation; he was limited by his lameness because he couldn’t do things for himself. He relied on others to carry him and wherever they kept him was where he remained; that put him on a perpetual lockdown. Although stationed at the Beautiful Gate, everything around him was beautiful except his life.
Physical disability has not been known to stop people from excelling in life, so this man’s biggest limitation was not the lameness of his legs; it was the limitation of his mind which was on lockdown. The limitation of his mind was what confined him to begging; his mind told him that all he could get considering his situation was ‘hand-me-downs or handouts’ from people, but that was just a big lie.
What this lame man did not know was that God was willing to change his experience, even though he was satisfied to be a beggar. As he looked at Peter and John he expected to receive something from them, perhaps money, but God had better plans. When Peter took the man by the right hand, in the name of Jesus, omnipotence took over the man’s impotence and divinity connected with his humanity. And when divinity connects with humanity, miracles happen. After that impartation, the man stood up for the first time in his life and leapt. He went from the place of stagnation to the place of motion in his life and he was granted access into the temple of God, where he had never been before.
Some vital lessons to take from this account: first, when you are in a tight place like this man was, a place where it seems like things are on halt because of certain limitations (e.g. the present lockdown the world is experiencing), do not depend on man to bring you out of the situation/lockdown. Although God will use man, your eyes must be solely on God so that you do not limit yourself. Man can only carry you as far as he goes, as high as he can, and support you as much as he has (Jeremiah 17:5-8).
Second, do not let the lockdown lock your mind down; refuse every sense of defeat, depression, and discouragement. Guard your heart (mind) with all diligence and keep it active – read books, write, plan, re-strategize and do something you have always wanted to do. Harness the positivity that is within you and let the best of you come out. Apostle Paul wrote most of his letters in prison; he didn’t let prison to imprison his mind (Proverbs 4:23).
Third, have an expectation to receive God’s goodness and relief from the situation; and finally, rely and invoke the name of Jesus to void any limitation that life has placed on you to have children, get a job, get married, start a viable business, enroll for a higher degree, etc. (Psalm 27:13, Philippians 2:9-11).
SCRIPTURE PHOTO
ADDITIONAL STUDY
II Corinthians 4:8-9 and Ephesians 3:20 (AMPC)
PRAYER
Lord, cause me to move where there has been stagnation in my life; and where men have carried me, be the one to carry me henceforth. Grant me access to prominent places that I have never been, and may the power in Jesus’ name bring me out of any limitation I am currently experiencing.
