First Impressions
Does Oxford make a
fierce first impression?
By Dr Mike Townsend, Chair of Trustees
First impressions
influence the way we
get on with people.
But what do you think
about this dog?
Fierce?
People’s visual appearance makes no
difference to me, as I can’t see—but it is of
no importance to the way I get on with folk.
I tend to gather my first impressions from
voices and handshakes. These don’t work
during lockdown and over Zoom—no hands,
and voices can be pretty garbled!
The dog with the muzzle in the photograph
is Oxford. He is the gentlest dog there is,
but recently, he nearly died. Labradors eat
anything, and Oxford gulped down some
horse manure which clogged his gut, and a
serious operation was necessary. Oxford now
has to bound around with this muzzle on to
stop him scavenging. He is the same dog with
a heart for his guiding work.
For many disabled people, this virtual life
can lead to opportunities that we don’t
often get. Many are excluded from serving
God in various roles because people see the
disability and not the person with gifts and
abilities. Physical access and travel are no
longer such barriers as we are all doing a lot
more things from our homes. Several people
have told me how pleased they are to lead services, develop virtual small groups, evangelise,
and counsel people under these new circumstances. Ok, other problems do arise, often with
using new technology. However, our disability often remains unnoticed.
It is great that God doesn’t judge us by our clothes, hair dos, or disabilities. When God was
advising the prophet Samuel about choosing the next king for Israel, he rejected the strapping
young men before him. God chose the rough looking young shepherd boy David. The secret is
this: “The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance,
but the LORD looks at the heart.”
(1 Samuel 16 7).
Have you got a heart for God’s service? At Through the Roof,
we know God wants to use the gifts of disabled people.
Let us know about the fresh opportunities that have become
available to you during these extraordinary times.
www.throughtheroof.org
www.throughtheroof.org