Inconvenient Faith (Introduction)

As a congenital leg amputee, I’ve spent my life adapting to challenges. My right leg didn’t develop properly, so I underwent amputation on the day I was born. From the age of three, I used a prosthetic, but at 21, I made a life-changing decision—I became a full-time crutch user to gain more freedom and mobility.

Do I consider my life hard? Not at all. But I do consider it inconvenient. Simple things like walking while holding a cup of coffee or navigating rainy days can be challenging, but they’re manageable. Even walking requires more effort; research shows that crutch walking takes two to three times more energy than walking normally. But here’s the thing: I’m used to inconvenience. Putting in extra effort and adjusting without complaint has become second nature to me.

And that’s exactly how faith builds resilience. Following Jesus isn’t easy—it’s often inconvenient. In today’s world, going to church, committing to serve, and pursuing God all require effort that many people choose to avoid. Since COVID, many believers have settled for online services, avoiding the inconvenience of showing up to church in person. But faith was never meant to be about comfort—it’s about commitment. My pastor often says, "Some people comfort the afflicted, but I afflict the comfortable." Spiritual growth requires effort and stepping out of our comfort zones.

Through this new devotional series, I want to share how my life and circumstances have strengthened my faith and spiritual resilience. I hope my journey encourages you to embrace the inconvenient faith. 

信仰不易行（前言）

由於我位先天右腿發育不全，出生當天，我就接受了右腿的截肢手術。從此，我的生命要不斷學習適應及克服挑戰。

從三歲開始，我便使用義肢走路，但到了21歲，我做出了一個重大決定：我選擇用拐杖及一條腿示人，主要原因是有更好的行動力。

我的人生很辛苦嗎？我一點也不覺得。但我認為它只是有點兒「不方便」。

像是手裡拿著咖啡杯走路，或是在下雨天外出，這些簡單的事情對我來說都多了一層挑戰，有些事不能做但不至於無法應對，但確實需要付出更多的努力。

甚至連走路這件事，也比一般人費力得多。研究指出，使用拐杖行走所需的能量是正常人步行的兩至三倍。

但重點是：我早已習慣了這份「不便」。付出額外的努力、默默地調整自己，已成為我生命的一部分。而這不便，正是幫助我培養對信仰堅韌的心志。跟隨耶穌絕不是一件輕鬆的事，它伴隨著不便與挑戰。

在這個世代，要去教會、持續服事、渴慕追求神，都這需要我們額外的付出。

特別自從疫情之後，許多信徒只看線上講道視頻，不花時間及精力出席教會聚會，不願投入教會生活。

但信仰從來就不是為了讓人「舒適」而是「委身」。

我的牧師常說：「有些人安慰受苦的人（Comfort the afflicted)，而我則挑戰那些過於安逸的人(Afflict the comfortable)。」

屬靈的成長是需要我們走出舒適圈、持續地追求主。

藉著這個靈修系列，我想分享我的故事，如何在困難中孕育出信心與韌性。

希望我的經驗能鼓勵你擁抱這份「不方便的信仰 inconvenient faith 」。