15 Nov, 2007
Not Lucky But Blessed
The unstoppable Matthew Fink
When he was 18 months old, Matthew wasn't expected to survive an infection that roared through his body. Much of his arms and legs had to be amputated 12 days after he got sick. For many months, his health was precarious. Whether his brain was spared injury was open to question.
No question now. Matthew is now a college student.
Matthew graduated from high school with honors. He got perfect scores in math and chemistry on his SAT subject exams. Eight prestigious colleges accepted him, and he chose nearby Carleton College in Northfield, Minn.
Someday, he vows, he will be a doctor. A doctor without limbs? "Why not?" asks the unstoppable Matthew Fink. Technology is changing so fast that who knows how medicine will be practiced in another decade. His first choice would be patient care, but there's always research, or psychiatry, or perhaps surgery using a sophisticated version of a joystick. He's a whiz with a joystick.
His parents say that though they are proud of his academic achievements, they value his character more. His dad, Andrew, said, "He's an honest kid, faithful, who thinks about other people."
"And you know what?" his mom, Cheri, added. "He's happy. He's truly happy."
Matthew said he considers himself lucky, but then he amended that: "Very lucky, very blessed. No, not lucky, but blessed." God gave him the opportunity to show others that life is a gift, he said. When he reflects on how he got a second chance to not only live but to thrive, he is likely to say, "To whom much is given, much is required," paraphrasing Luke 12:48.
Matthew is quiet about his faith, but when asked about his disability he said, "God puts certain things in your life to challenge you and the people around you, in order to make you a stronger person and rely on him."
Note: Story by Peg Meier, Photos by Stormi Greener, first appeared startribune.com, 7/20/06
Luke 12:48b (NLT)
When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.
In Luke 12:41-48, Jesus is using an illustration about a master and a servant to tell us how to live until He comes back. We need to do an attitude check to make sure that we are consistently watching for Him, working hard and obeying His commands in God’s Word.
The example that Jesus uses illustrates that faithful followers will be given more opportunities and responsibilities. God doesn’t hold us responsible for what He has not given us. But God does expect us to use whatever abilities, knowledge and resources He has blessed us with, to serve Him and honor Him until Jesus returns to take His followers home to Heaven.
In Today’s Story, Matthew quoted today’s scripture. He doesn’t see himself as disabled, but very able to use his “blessing” to serve God. That kind of heart is way more important than arms and legs!
- Read the whole illustration that Jesus used in Luke 12:41-48.
- Make a written list of how God has blessed you with abilities, understanding, resources, circumstances, etc. Now write a note to God expressing your gratitude and desire to serve Him with any opportunity and responsibility He gives you.
- Talk to Jesus in prayer right now. Confess any way in which you have been focusing on what you can’t do rather than on what you can do. Ask Jesus to show you how gifted He has made you and how to use those gifts. Thank Him for giving you the power and attitude you need to serve Him in the responsibilities He brings your way.
- To appreciate Matthew’s heart and perspective, have someone duck tape your feet together and your hands behind your back for one hour. Remember that Matthew said, “I’m not lucky, but blessed!”
- Pray every day for Jesus to give you opportunities to love and serve others with the abilities and resources He has given you.
- Email this DAILYBIDE about Matthew to some friends to encourage them, or better yet, tell them Matthew’s story in person. It may start an interesting conversation.
- Pray for Matthew as he is in college this fall. Pray that Jesus will continue to use his story to impact the stories of others.
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