There have been a number of verses that I have been drawn to over the past couple of weeks, but none of them have stood out more than John 3:16. The very familiar passage gives the reader insight as to why God sent his Son into the world. Even to a person that lacks detailed understanding about the Christian church community, they can at least take away from this scripture that God at least loved the world before He sent His Son into it. It doesn't say that He loved the world with certain conditions and it doesn't add any burdens to us as creatures in order for us to attain or receive that love. All we have to do according to this verse is simply believe that God loves us and then we will receive eternal life. Isn't that amazing!
As we continue to push towards our Breathe Family/Leadership Worship Conference in August of 2015, the thought came to me as to why I am pushing so hard to do this event. During an intimate morning worship moment with my family, my youngest son ran into my arms desiring a hug. Zechariah is a miracle child. The first years of his life were met with a number of health challenges. By the time he was two years old, Zechariah had battled through 17 different ear infections. Doctors had prescribed a number antibiotics, but over the course of time, he became immune to the antibiotics and needed stronger medications. After being in and out of the hospital and doctor offices, it was determined that Zechariah would need to have tubes surgically placed into his ears so that the fluid can drain out. After the surgery was over, the doctor walked out of the operating room and walked over to apologize to us. He told us that he was sorry that they did not get Zechariah into the surgery sooner. He explained that for the past year, Zechariah had been hearing us and the world around him as if he was listening to us under water. Not only that, it was also determined that the most recent severe ear infections he had led to both of his ear drums rupturing; causing some hearing loss. The hearing loss resulted in Zechariah's development being delayed, and the antibiotic immunities had led to his immune system being compromised; hence, the need for us to find specialists and programs to best suit his needs.
I can go on and on about the many other health challenges that Zechariah has faced throughout his life, but the purpose of this particular blog would be thwarted if I did. The purpose of this particular blog was to bring understanding about the love of a father. You see…my life as a born-again Christian believer will continue to yield an understanding to the heart of God as I stay tethered to Him, and as a father today, I realized that God couldn't just stand by and do nothing because of His love for a dying world. As Zechariah's father, I couldn't stand by and do nothing for him, even though some treated us or believed that there was nothing that we could do. Even though my wife and I are advocates for Christian education and learning institutions, we had to find a place that would be most beneficial to Zechariah's development (because unfortunately, there's not a lot of Christ-centered educational institutions that have programs to reach special needs or children with autism: Why? I don't know, but stay tuned as I challenge this thinking within our church culture).
God so loved the world, that He was willing to do whatever it took to save it, and like most parents that have children with autism or special needs, they are willing to do whatever it takes to give their children the best life possible. God sent His Son into a community of unbelievers, and Jesus took the punishment for all of our sins at the hand of His creation; but because of the love of God, it was worth the investment. Every time I look at my two children, I know that this conference is worth it. Every time I drop Zechariah off at his special needs charter school and see other parents lovingly pushing through every possible hurt and pain to get their child to school everyday, I know this conference is worth it. No parent should have to feel abandoned within the Christian church community, especially when we are supposed to be the family of God or the Body of Christ. It's time to let EVERYONE that has breathe praise the Lord. It's time to really let autism speak in our christian communities, and love on the entire fields of hurting families and people. We can do it…because God so loved the world.
Ryan Council
President & Founder of Breathe 150 Entertainment
ryan@breathe150entertainment.com
https://www.facebook.com/breathe150entertainment
http://www.gofundme.com/e6jaqo
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