August 7, 2026 – Daily Devotional
Alex Sparkes is an active boy. He loves the things a young boy loves. Alex wants to play games, explore the outdoors, and go fishing. Alex has done these things and much more. He has a wonderful family who helps him to enjoy life to the full. Alex has done all these things with one significant obstacle to overcome. Alex was born without his right arm.
Alex’s parents attended a demonstration by Open Bionics. They witnessed tremendous advancements in medical technology. It was their hope to get a new arm for their son so that Alex could experience life with both hands. The only challenge is that a new bionic arm would cost around $16,000.
A crowdfunding page was launched to help reach the goal and help Alex. Many people responded to help, but when the story reached James Anderson, he decided to fund the entire purchase so that Alex could fully enjoy life. James knew this would truly change a person’s life.
Because of James Anderson’s generosity, Alex received his arm. He chose a superhero-themed arm…The Black Panther. The technology is amazing. Alex can do amazing things with his new arm, and for the first time in his life he is able to do things that require two hands. He has learned to tie his shoes. Perhaps what excited me most was that he went fishing with his dad and learned to cast a rod with two hands.
There are many wonderful people in this story. Alex’s parents, James Anderson, the people of Open Bionics, and more. Each of them helped to bring life-changing technology into Alex’s life. When so many wonderful people combined their talents and resources, one person’s life was transformed.
This story reminds me of the wonderful verse found in the book of Romans. “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us…” (Romans 12:4-6) When we do our part and use the gifts God has given us, we all can make a difference in the lives of others. We can change our world when we work together in love.
-Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
