From the Heart

People don’t often put the words ‘joy’ and ‘disability’ together – most think suffering and joy are an impossible combination. Living as a quadriplegic for 50 years, I can identify. I remember a time when I thought joy was impossible – like this charcoal-sketch of me when I was first injured, asking, “Oh God, is this now my life?!”

Recently, I wrote to Tommy, a teenager who broke his neck body surfing. Halfway through my letter as I was describing several hurdles he should expect to face, I stopped. I was overwhelmed with what lies ahead for this young man, and I started crying out to God on Tommy’s behalf. I’m sure he feels like that charcoal portrait.

And when it comes to the families we serve at Joni and Friends, it’s every person’s portrait. It’s why we’re earnestly heaven-bent on reaching Tommy and thousands like him with the hope and help of Christ. We want them to see Jesus in their anguish. Like Andrew Murray says: “The Christian often tries to forget his weakness: God wants us to remember it, to feel it deeply. The Christian wants to be freed from weakness: God wants us to rest and even rejoice in it. The Christian mourns over his weakness: Christ teaches us to say, ‘Most gladly will I glory in my weaknesses.’”

That’s where the joy comes in. It happens when we see the Man of Sorrows as our Lord of Joy. Only the life-transforming power of Christ can open the hearts of Tommy and countless others to the wonders of His joy. So thank you for helping us give God’s joy to those who suffer – it’s what’s happening to Tommy as he trusts the God of impossibilities!