Wrapped Up in Christ
Have you ever struggled with knowing who you really are?
Well hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and thanks for joining me for “Joni and Friends” today. And I’ll be the first to admit that I have really struggled with that question, “Who am I?” I remember lying awake at nights after the diving accident in which I became paralyzed, wondering and worrying about who I was. On my feet, I mean, my identity was all wrapped up in sports and athletics. I was an active, busy girl playing tennis with my friends, running, horseback riding, hiking; I knew who I was. I was Joni-on-the-go. But now, stuck in a wheelchair, without use of my hands or legs, I had absolutely no idea who I was, my identity. Who am I? I would cry out to God.
Thankfully, I had a friend named Steve who was leading me through Bible study at the time, helping me to understand my predicament from the point of view of God’s Word. One day I confided to Steve that I was afraid – I mean really afraid – that I had no idea who this new Joni was supposed to be. I don’t think I fully expected him to be able to answer my question. I mean, he was only another kid like me; and a boy at that. What did he know about my struggle with identity? Well, I will never forget what he did to help answer that question. Because the next evening when we met for our regular Bible study, Steve flipped open to Colossians chapter 3 and read the first three verses where it says, “Since you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”
“Right there is your answer, Joni,” he said. “Colossians chapter 3 is going to help you find out who the real Joni is. It’ll help you solve the mystery; it’ll help make clear who you’re supposed to be.” I gave him a funny look, but he had come prepared with a visual aid for this lesson. Steve held up a paper bag – on the outside of it he had written the words, God the Father. Then, he reached inside that bag and pulled out one that was hidden – this second bag had the words Jesus written on it. There was obviously something hidden in that bag, because he reached inside of it and pulled out a 3×5 card with my name written on it. Steve said to me, “Joni, the Bible says that you – the real you – is hid with Christ in God. That means the more you get to know Jesus, the clearer your identity will be, for your identity is completely wrapped up in Christ – just like this little 3×5 card is hidden inside the bag with Jesus’ name on it. You are hid with Christ in God; and the more you get to know him, the more you will know yourself.”
Oh, I tell you what, it was a lesson I will never forget, and it started me out on a wonderful journey to know Jesus better. I did not need to worry about who I was anymore. I knew it would all be revealed the more I learned about Jesus. Friend, get to know him and you will get to know yourself. And to help you get started on that same journey I once took, I want to send you a beautiful 12-page foldout that details the names of Jesus so that you, too, can get to know him better. So, just go to joniradio.org and ask for your copy of the booklet “The Names of Jesus.” Because remember, your life is hid with Christ in God, like a card with your name in it inside a paper bag. Open that bag and you’ll discover who God has destined you to be. Come to know Jesus and you’ll come to know yourself.
