Disadvantage or Advantage?

There are times when what we think is our disadvantage turns out to be our advantage.

Life is full of such stories, stories of people whose handicap, limitations, and challenges turned out to be a blessing to them.

I love such stories, I feel they inspire hope and also motivate people to keep going.

I love success stories.

I like to see people succeed, I want people to achieve their good dreams, and I like knowing that people overcame the odds.

When what was seen as a disadvantage in a life turns out to be an advantage, in that life, that is a blessing. It is success.

It's my view that the Lord is the one who turns the disadvantage of our lives into our advantage.

Zacchaeus is an example of a man whose disadvantage became his advantage.

He was a very short man, he also wasn't liked by the public.

In the accounts of scripture, what others were fighting for, pushing for, and struggling for; he received.

Something wonderful was happening in his town, an unusual person had come to his town and Zacchaeus longed to experience Him and be part of the happening.

The miracle worker was in town- His words and wisdom, His miracles, the depth of His teaching, His authority and love made Him captivating to the people.

He was in demand, almost everyone wanted His attention.

Many would give an arm and a leg to have Him in their home and host him and His disciples to a meal.

The multitudes thronged Him, the strongest were the ones who probably got closest to Him.

The short height of Zacchaeus had probably been a disadvantage to him most of his life, that disadvantage became an issue as Jesus walked through the town of Jericho; he couldn't see Jesus! 

He wasn't tall enough to even get a glimpse of the Master  because he couldn't see over the crowd.

Fortunately Zacchaeus had an inspired thought, he had a good idea.

He climbed a sycamore-fig tree to get a good view of Jesus.

It was the wisest thing he could do, unknown to Zacchaeus it was an act of faith Jesus would honor. The Lord always honors our acts of faith, our effort to see Him and please Him.

It resulted in his getting Jesus's attention and Jesus dining in his home, which brought about a four fold restoration to every family Zacchaeus had ever extorted as a tax officer and salvation to Zacchaeus's family.

Zacchaeus's disadvantage became his advantage.

Blind Bartimaeus is another character whose disadvantage became his advantage.

He was born blind.

That blindness got him the miracle of a new set of eyes.

His blindness got him the attention of Jesus.

Miracles from God answer to unusual problems that are beyond men when they call upon the Master.

When we look at our disadvantages with a new set of eyes we get a new perspective.

You disadvantage becomes your advantage when you invite the Master into your matter.

Your disadvantage just might be your opportunity.