Hidden in Her Heart
One day, while Sarah laboriously studied the Scriptures, God did something miraculous.
Sarah grew up in a tiny village in China raised by loving parents who were entirely devoted to Jesus. She learned at a young age what it meant to trust God. Sarah was born almost completely blind and her disability was a constant struggle. She was sent home permanently from school in the second grade because of her blindness. Teachers and neighbors told her she would never amount to anything, but her faith in the Lord helped her remain steadfast. At the young age of 17, Sarah was married off to a much older man. Her parents felt confident in the match, as her new husband professed to be a strong Christian, but it was all a lie─his faith was non-existent. When Sarah discovered the deception, she stopped serving in her church because of the overwhelming shame that she felt. Through these hardships, Sarah never stopped loving Jesus. Despite her near blindness, she had a desire to read the Bible and she discovered that by holding the book just an inch or two from her good eye it was possible to read.
One day, while Sarah laboriously studied the Scriptures, God did something miraculous. Whatever she read, she was able to memorize easily. Sarah committed the entire book of Psalms to memory and many other parts of the Bible shortly afterwards. Her new gift helped her to grow in confidence and it gave her life purpose. With God’s Word tucked away securely in Sarah’s heart, she began to preach throughout the village. Hundreds came to know Christ, including her husband. Today there are numerous house churches in China and more than 500 pastors under her leadership because of her faithfulness. Sarah’s disability could not alter God’s plan for her life.
We are encouraged by the passage in 2 Corinthians 12:9 – 10 that says: And He said to me, my grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Sarah’s weakness only served to magnify the Lord’s power. Lives were gathered for the Kingdom when she walked in obedience.
