God Permits

 Joni Eareckson Tada is truly a hero of the faith. Paralyzed as a teenager in a diving accident, she has spent the last 56 years in a wheelchair with a body that experiences many periods of great pain. Through it all, she has displayed a faith in Him that has ministered to all who suffer and ask why. Her life of trust in her Lord gives a powerful witness. Observing it, one would think she has always been so, but they would be wrong.

I heard Tada speak of her life before the accident. She was a believer, but one who struggled to live a life of obedience. She knew she wasn't living out what she professed to believe. In her struggles, she came to the place of telling Him that she could not live out a life of faithfulness in her own strength. She cried out to Him and His Spirit whispered Psalm 62:8; "O my people, trust in Him at all times." She claimed it as a life promise. The accident that devastated her life happened only a few weeks later.

In those first months in the hospital, she went through all the emotions and thoughts that we all would. Anger, bitterness, and questions. Why did it happen? What had He allowed it? Where was He? In the midst of it, believing friends surrounded and ministered to her. Their intimacy and faith impacted her deeply, especially that of one young man in particular.

In their conversations and amidst her questions, he shared something he had read. "God permits what He hates to accomplish what He loves." He used as the prime example that of the Father giving His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us that we might have eternal life and salvation through faith in Him. The Father hated what Jesus went through to accomplish this but He loved what the fruit of that terrible sacrifice would be. Tada contemplated in her heart what her friend had said. His Spirit brought her back to her claiming of Psalm 62:8, that He called her to trust Him at all times. She asked Him, "Lord, even at this time?" He whispered, "Yes, even now." She prayed, "Lord, I have nowhere else to go. You have the words of life. Show me how to live." She then related, "For the best 56 years, He's been showing me how to live...and  how to trust Him."

There is no joy for Him in our suffering, but if He has permitted it, it is because He means to accomplish something beautiful in and through us. Tada has been used of Him to reach millions who never would have been reached apart from her accident. She has also become someone she would never have become apart from it. Suffering is real, but He is more real. Jennifer Rothschild, who lost her sight at age 15 said, "Today is short. Eternity is long." We live in a fallen world and we will experience sorrow. It isn't fair and it isn't how it was meant to be, but if we will trust Him, look to Him, even in the midst of the deepest suffering, He will show us how to live and how to trust Him more deeply by the day. Let Him accomplish His beauty in the midst of your pain. He will, and the most beautiful work of all will be what He does in and through you. That's a promise.

Blessings,
Pastor O