Small Victories

 

Poster’s note:  I thought this would be a fitting blog for this week.  Though Noel was writing about the inspiration Joni Eareckson Tada was to him several years ago she is still inspiring us today.  This week several of us are at a Family retreat that CH is putting on with Joni and Friends (Joni’s ministry) at Elim Lodge.  Joni and Friends has been running these retreats for several years in the US and other countries ministering to families affected by disability.  This is our first time partnering with them in this way.  We appreciate your prayers this week for this camp. (Mark Wallace)

Small Victories

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. Prov 16:3

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 I am constantly amazed when I read the devotional book, Diamonds in the Dust
written by Joni Eareckson Tada (Zondervan). It is apparent that Joni was an active
young woman with a deep commitment to accepting God’s leading in her life.
As a teenager, Joni was in a serious accident that left her paralyzed.

At one point, Joni reminds herself, and us, that she had prayed that God would do
whatever it might take to draw her closer to Him. She sees this tragic accident as
being part of God’s answer to her heart’s prayer! Wow! I could hardly read
her words through the tears in my own eyes.

Joni’s accounts of her personal life leave no doubt that she continues to wrestle
with her feelings of frustration and loss. However, it is perfectly clear that Joni only
accepts victory as she is eventually able to submit these battles to God, so that
He might work through the experiences to achieve His purposes for her and for
those she is in a position to influence. As Joni relates her experiences, she does so
humbly, acknowledging her humanity and the fact that her life is not one of a
victory won but rather a work in progress. Throughout her writings, she causes her
readers to reflect on the little joys God places in each person’s life. Joni counts her
blessings, names them one by one. And it surprises her, what the Lord has done.
What an example! I am afraid to pray Joni’s prayer. I confess I am not as strong as
she is. Oh, I do want to be more like Christ, but I still hold out that it
might be on my terms.

Joni is so weak physically, but so strong in her faith and obedience. I am physically
able to do things that are beyond Joni’s expectations for herself; however, I am not
the person Joni is. I have not won the victories she has won in her walk of faith.
I have not even been challenged with many of the battles!

Does this sound a little like your experience too? Well take heart. I am in awe!
In spite of my tiny faith and my tendency toward sin, God has done and is doing
a miracle — and I am standing right in the middle of it all. God is so good. I have
often been lying on my bed at night, talking things over with God. I look back over

 the day and realize that I didn’t know enough or do enough, often actually
hindering others through inappropriate actions or comments on my part. Yet, I have
been blessed as I have taken the challenges and handed them over to God.
He knows more than I will ever know. He can do what I can never do. On many
occasions, God has taken the inappropriate things that I have done and used them
to bring a unique blessing. He cares more about the outcome and the influence on
others than I can ever care. And over the past years, I too, like Joni, can testify that
God is good and His desire to bless is not limited by my limitations, but is let loose
as I commit the challenges I face to Him so that He can receive all the credit.

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Heavenly Father, I am in awe. You are great and Your greatness is most clearly seen
in my life as I continue to be amazed at what You have done, and are doing,
in spite of my limitations and my sin. Thank You. Amen.

- Noel Churchman

Noel was the Executive Director of Christian Horizons form 1976 to 2001. The devotionals we will be using are from a book he wrote in 2005 called “Walking with God”. Noel’s reflections are grounded in his experiences as an educator, and provider of supports for individuals with exceptional needs as well as his life as a dedicated follower of Christ.