Evaluating uproar about my new movement
I am not quite sure what we were even praying about when I noticed it last week. I motioned to my girlfriend with my head and eyes to look at my left hand. My pinky was fluttering slowly, trying to extend on its own. Then, just like that, it was sticking completely straight up in the air, with the rest of my hand lying flat on the hand rest. At first I wrote it off as a muscle twitch or spasm but the muscle just refused to relax. I proceeded to try to move my pinky. It shook a bit at first before falling back down to the arm rest. I thought, why not, and tried to move it again. The other fingers kicked in. All of a sudden I was voluntarily lifting my left wrist and fingers for the first time in over four years.
I wasn’t sure what to think. It’s not as if this was something I had been working on. I hadn’t been sitting around staring at my left hand trying to move it every day. Yet, here I was watching my hand move. I didn’t want to stop to ensure I wasn’t imagining anything. Believing in healing is one thing. Actually seeing muscles, joints, and in this case digits moving that have not moved for over four years seems almost unbelievable when actually watching them in action- although it shouldn’t be in any sense of the word. Genesis 18:14 asks, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” Although I assume the question is meant to be rhetorical, I wonder if sometimes my answer is “Well, maybe…”
People are often asking me about my physical status so I figured I would post the video on the Flat On My Back Facebook page. Since the new movement hardly changed anything functionally, I didn’t think others would necessarily find it a big deal. Don’t get me wrong, I was pretty excited but the excitement I gained from it mainly had to do with ways I personally experienced God as a result. However, the response to the video was overwhelming with texts, emails, and comments on social media. It seemed from the comments that many others were surprised as well.
It made me wonder how often we put God in a box that make sense to us. Why are we so easily impressed or even surprised with miraculous breakthrough?
It reminded me of the story in the book of John when Jesus is inviting people to follow him. Jesus calls out Nathanael by name and Nathanael responds with, “How could you possibly even know me? We’ve never seen each other before.” Jesus seems casual with his response, “Oh, I saw you under the fig tree.” Nathanael drops to his knees and declares, “You are the son of God, the King of Israel!” Jesus’ response is 
classic: “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree?” I envision Jesus’ eyebrows raised with a smirk on his face while thinking to himself, “Wow, you’re easily impressed.” And then, knowing what Nathanael is going to witness in the coming days- from Jesus feeding 5000 people, to calming a storm, to being murdered on a cross only to rise again three days later- Jesus has to chuckle when he says, “Oh… you’ll see greater things than that.” (See John 1:43 – 50).
It sure was awesome seeing my hand move on its own for the first time since 2009. God says not to despise small beginnings (Zechariah 4:10) and I am going to stay thankful for every breakthrough no matter how small it may seem. At the same time though, I don’t ever want to low-ball or be shocked by what God is capable of doing. I want to expect the greater things in store not only in my physical body but also in the richness of relationships, new and exciting opportunities, and seeing God’s power on display in the details of my day to day life. In the book of Ephesians, Paul says that God “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” A finger and a hand moving? That’s just the tip of the iceberg. I fully believe I will see greater things than that in the coming days.
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Not shocked by anything God does, but happy for sure!
Proverbs 3:5-6
I was one of the one pleasantly surprised- just find it very interesting what physically changed or happened to make it do that. Fascinating isnt it. It was huge- especially to new something new you didnt expect. It just made my day. How exciting to learn about the human body- or god-we might say.
Truly amazing, I pray the God continues to work through you
That’s amazing. He’s amazing. I can’t believe it’s been four years.
I’m believing with you, Ryan! Here’s an excerpt from a devotional I read this morning. “Scripture says that without faith, it is impossible to please God. He wants us to come to Him and know His goodness. He wants us to believe that He is good and that He has good things in store for us. Today, I encourage you to get bold with your prayers. Ask God for big things. Believe that He is working behind the scenes on your behalf. Put your faith to work because God is faithful. He has big things in store for you and promises to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that you can ever imagine!”
Thank you for sharing your journey with us all! You are an inspiration to keep our eyes on God no matter the outside circumstances, we know it’s not over when our trust is in The Lord!
Danielle, Great timing on when you came across that devotional. Thanks for sharing.
Awesome, Ryan!! I love this!
This is so wonderfully amazing Ryan…keep working hard and God will provide all that you need! Thank you for sharing your walk of faith with all of us! It inspires me everyday!! My son also suffered a spinal cord injury about 2 1/2 years ago…still praying for a small physical change like this but amazed by HIS steadfast love and healing presence in our lives.
Julie, What level SCI does your son have? I noticed the first big miraculous breakthrough over two years after doctors had said nothing more would come back. No time constraint on God’s ability to heal. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Ryan,
Sorry I missed your reply. He fractured his C7 vertebrae in a diving accident and had a fusion from C5 to T1. He has been blessed in so many ways since his accident. His lifelong dream of becoming a physician will begin this August as he starts med school. Hopefully he too will be an inspiration to others as The Lord works though him. God Bless!
Loved this line… Don’t get me wrong, I was pretty excited but the excitement I gained from it mainly had to do with ways I personally experienced God as a result.
In other words we should be more excited about the moves of God than the moves of our limbs. Thanx Brother.
This really is a pretty cool blog-started following a week or so ago. This is the dude who spoke at Crossroads a few weeks ago.
Mary Ann Hanlon DDS,MS
Phone: 513.662.4867
Fax: 513.662.3070
maryhanlon@perio.org
That is a amazing !! So happy for you Ryan!
That IS a big deal! Hallelujah!!!!!!! That is wonderful. Wow and YAHOOOOOO!
Ryan, wonderful news, and I am beyond excited for you. Your blogs are like mini sermons that I read over and over again. Hey, you were that kid I threw peanuts at during games at UC, now I look forward to reading your perspective on very significant Biblical truths.
Ryan I am celebrating with you! This is amazing and powerful testimony that miracles continue he to happen all to glorify God!!! HAPPY EASTER !!!
Ryan, this is awesome!! So excited for you!