Scripture
Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”
~2 Corinthians 12:8-9, NLT
Quote
“The creature’s illusion of sufficiency must, for the creature’s sake, be shattered, and this is accomplished by suffering.
~C.S. Lewis
I graduated high school in 1967, the same year that Joni Eareckson suffering her diving accident. This tragic accident left Joni a quadriplegic, bound to a bed and a wheel chair with no use of feet or hands. Fifty years later, Joni testified, “There are really more important things in life than walking. There are more important things in life than having the use of your hands. It is having a heart that is free from the grip of sin, pride and self-centeredness.” Joni is a 49er like myself so it is not hard for me to keep up with her age. She went into deep depression after the accident but two years later she emerged with a startling new attitude. She was determined to help others who had suffered a similiar fate. She has wrote a number of books; WHEN GOD WEEPS, HEAVEN OUR REAL HOME, A PLACE OF HEALING and more. She in a international speaker, carrying her message to more than 50 foreign countries around the globe.
We live in a world that glorifies athletes and movie stars. We idolize those who have magnificently sculptured bodies and extraordinary physical ability. We tend to look down on the sick, the weak, the paralyzed, the infirmed and the helpless. In time, C.S. Lewis will be remembered more than John F. Kennedy. They died on the same day but no one seemed to notice Lewis because Kennedy’s death over shadowed the passing of the greatest Christian apologist of our time. In time Mother Teressa will be remembered more than Princess Diana because Mother Teressa devoted her life to others. Many believers have found contentment via their suffering. Suffering is like the refiners fire, it purges us of impure motives; it brings the cream to the top. My friend Ken Nelson has suffered severely in the last three weeks. He cannot swallow a sip of water without getting strangled. He is in constant pain and discomfort. He told me Saturday, “I want to go to heaven.” I dare not lie to you, I have never suffered like Ken. I have suffered just enough to know how it works: it will shrink self and the world. It will also enlarge Jesus and heaven. Suffering, I am positive, is the only way for God to fully sanctify us. I don’t know of any other way for Him to get the junk out of our lives; do you?
Extra
What can I say without saying too much? God is good! Great Mission offering yesterday at the POINT. I want to thank Josh for bringing a good message that spoke to my heart and I shared those thought with DBC last night. I want to thank DBC for the huge care basket that we carried to Ken children on Saturday. Pray for me that I will be at the right place at the right time and say the right thing.
Have a great week and thanks for reading the blog.