I’ll repeat here the main element of today’s study – mainly, because I’ve also been impressed by what Joni has written.
Selwyn writes: “Whenever I have listened to Joni Eareckson Tada tell her story, I hear nothing that comes anywhere close to tragedy, comedy or irony. There is something inspiring, something of God, about her story. She talks about the events that made her a quadriplegic not in terms of tragedy but in terms of a transcendent drama. One has only to listen to her to be aware of the grace of God that shines out from her personality.
She has the attention and admiration of millions because she speaks out of suffering – suffering that has been redeemed. She admits, of course, that there was a time of complaint in her life – a time when she shook her fist in God’s face – but she has worked through that now and has come to recognise that in allowing her accident to take place, God had a purpose for her life that has touched the lives of millions.”
If you have not heard much about Joni before – then I can recommended her books; a good one is: “Glorious Intruder – God’s Presence in Life’s Chaos”.
Joni’s website has a lot more information – it’s main role is: ” … to communicate the gospel and equip Christ-honoring churches worldwide to evangelize and disciple people affected by disabilities.”
The verses, set for reading and meditation are worth thinking about – another example of a person’s response to suffering – Isaiah 38:15-20, part of Hezekiah’s Poem of Praise (NLT):
” … But what could I say? For he himself sent this sickness. Now I will walk humbly throughout my years because of this anguish I have felt.
Lord, your discipline is good, for it leads to life and health. You restore my health and allow me to live! Yes, this anguish was good for me, for you have rescued me from death and forgiven all my sins.
For the dead cannot praise you; they cannot raise their voices in praise. Those who go down to the grave can no longer hope in your faithfulness.
Only the living can praise you as I do today. Each generation tells of your faithfulness to the next.
Think of it—the Lord is ready to heal me! I will sing his praises with instruments every day of my life in the Temple of the Lord.”
What did you get out of today’s study?
A transcendent drama
I’ll repeat here the main element of today’s study – mainly, because I’ve also been impressed by what Joni has written.
Selwyn writes: “Whenever I have listened to Joni Eareckson Tada tell her story, I hear nothing that comes anywhere close to tragedy, comedy or irony. There is something inspiring, something of God, about her story. She talks about the events that made her a quadriplegic not in terms of tragedy but in terms of a transcendent drama. One has only to listen to her to be aware of the grace of God that shines out from her personality.
She has the attention and admiration of millions because she speaks out of suffering – suffering that has been redeemed. She admits, of course, that there was a time of complaint in her life – a time when she shook her fist in God’s face – but she has worked through that now and has come to recognise that in allowing her accident to take place, God had a purpose for her life that has touched the lives of millions.”
If you have not heard much about Joni before – then I can recommended her books; a good one is: “Glorious Intruder – God’s Presence in Life’s Chaos”.
Joni’s website has a lot more information – it’s main role is: ” … to communicate the gospel and equip Christ-honoring churches worldwide to evangelize and disciple people affected by disabilities.”
The verses, set for reading and meditation are worth thinking about – another example of a person’s response to suffering – Isaiah 38:15-20, part of Hezekiah’s Poem of Praise (NLT):
” … But what could I say? For he himself sent this sickness. Now I will walk humbly throughout my years because of this anguish I have felt.
Lord, your discipline is good, for it leads to life and health. You restore my health and allow me to live! Yes, this anguish was good for me, for you have rescued me from death and forgiven all my sins.
For the dead cannot praise you; they cannot raise their voices in praise. Those who go down to the grave can no longer hope in your faithfulness.
Only the living can praise you as I do today. Each generation tells of your faithfulness to the next.
Think of it—the Lord is ready to heal me! I will sing his praises with instruments every day of my life in the Temple of the Lord.”
What did you get out of today’s study?