Joni Eareckson Tada's message begins about 5 minutes in, and is about 25 minutes long. It's worth the viewing, I think. I hope you agree.
Two of our children have disabilities. I've learned over the last 17+ years that all people have disabilities, only a few of which are visible. All people suffer. Only a few of them do so publicly. May we all have the grace to submit to all of God's sovereign plan, and to deal gently with each other as we participate with Him in our transformation into the likeness of our suffering Savior. Thank God for the suffering "driving me down the road to Calvary, where otherwise I might not naturally be inclined to go."
Thanks for highlighting Joni. I nearly forgot about her. I was first introduced to her when I was in elementary school. I think we watched a movie about her in school (at that time I was at a Christian school). Though I was only 10, I was really moved by her story. For one, it totally freaked me out, and I became quite cautious whenever I dove into a pool. But I was most moved by how she took a really crappy situation and glorified God through it all - through her words and her connections and even her art (what an artist!). I'm a big fan. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI love Joni and receive her little devotional each and every day by email.
ReplyDelete"deal gently with each other"... what a great blessing for the body of Christ! How often do we elevate our personal suffering as somehow worse than someone else's? Each of us has our own walk. We are each being transformed from glory to glory on a road that Jesus marked for us. Dealing gently will be the balm that heals the body as we walk that road together. Thanks for the encouragement!
ReplyDelete