February 18, 2025
A diving accident confined her to a wheelchair as a quadriplegic at age 17. She is 75 years old now. I have had the amazing privilege of being with Joni Earickson Tada on several occasions, one of the greatest honors of my life. I have never met a person who is so filled with God … whose life radiates the life of Christ with such clarity and power. To be in the room with her is to be overcome with the presence of God. It is overwhelming.
Even though there has hardly been a single day without pain, joy and contentment, peace and power flow from her “like rivers of living water.” How could this possibly be?
As you hear her testimony, she will tell you that, early on, she settled the issue of why she lived—not for comfort but, like Paul, for “Christ to be magnified in her body, whether by life or by death.” For to her, “to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:20-21). This foundational surrender changed everything and has given her almost 60 years of astounding, broad influence for the kingdom of God. She seems to experience an intimacy with Christ that few enjoy and a spiritual power that few access. Her explanation is that, by the grace of God, she embraced His sovereignty.
PAUL’S LIFE PURPOSE
When Paul was making his final trip to Jerusalem from his third missionary journey, multiple people told him that he would face suffering if he returned there. He listened graciously … and kept going.
After looking up the disciples, we stayed there seven days; and they kept telling Paul through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem. When our days there were ended, we left and started on our journey. (Acts 21:4-5)
As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ” When we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 21:10-13)
Paul explained to the Ephesians why he was ignoring the warnings of sincere friends.
“I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me.
“But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:20-24)
Paul knew his life was brief and his literal body was expendable for God’s purposes. He had settled the issue of purpose. This is why he could sing in a jail cell in Phillipi because the “whole Praetorian guard” (5,000 men!) had heard about Christ, and all the disciples were encouraged. Nothing could thrill him more, even though it came through his suffering. There was no place and no hardship that could hinder him from fulfilling God’s glorious purposes.
I have known many people who have had great joy and power in the midst of great suffering. It is humbling that the slightest inconveniences deter many of us from following God. We have not gotten to the bottom—settled the issue. Most often, we live for our comfort, reputation, or gain. When any of those goals are touched, we are troubled and discontent.
This can only be remedied by Paul’s (and Joni’s) response. We must settle the issue of why we live. In so doing, we will enter the foyer of heaven and our most powerful days of earthly effectiveness.
April 11, 2025
Are you coming to God like this today? If not, what adjustments must be made to enter into His presence with such humble joy?
April 09, 2025
Many don’t really believe in prayer. We say that we trust in prayer, but our practice indicates our doubt.
March 27, 2025
When our faith is sufficient to lead us to actually follow God’s plan, we will always see that it is “good, acceptable, and perfect.” These words, as always, are important.
