Stephen Hawking, the world renowned British scientist and author of A Brief History of Time, has just turned 70 in spite of being diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease at the age of 21. The usual life expectancy is only a few years after the onset of this terrible disease.

 

A few years ago, Hawking professed a belief in God and made a profession of faith in the Lord. Many have questioned his faith and argued that much of his work conflicts with Christian teaching. Only the Lord knows the genuineness of his faith and I will let the theologians debate the doctrine.  For the record, I haven’t read his work.

What is remarkable is that in spite of his disability, he has created very complex and meaningful work. He has been confined to a wheel chair for 41 years and for the last 25 years has required the use of a voice synthesizer for communication. His research, while highly controversial, has been ground breaking. He holds the Cambridge University Chair in mathematics, once held by Isaac Newton.  Those are big shoes to fill. 

Few have accomplished so much in the face of such tremendous disability.  He teaches us that when faced with difficulties and challenges, we need to look at ways to persevere and overcome. Hawking could have easily given up. Instead, regardless of the number of years he had left, he continued to work and produce new research and ideas. 

One 90-year-old lady in my church was disabled and bedridden. She said, “The only thing I can do now is pray and praying for others and the Lord’s church may be the most important work of my life.” Now that’s an attitude!

The book of Acts relates, “Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:14, NASB)

Overcome difficult circumstances by using whatever energy you have to do the Lord’s work. If Hawking can be productive in his circumstances, what’s holding you back? 

Steve Marr, Your Christian Business Coach 

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