It has to be one of the top five questions that unbelievers ask.....'Why does God allow suffering?' Well if I were asked that I would recommend that the questioner would Google sermons on that topic by Charles Spurgeon or Martyn Lloyd-Jones or John Piper....for I have heard such sermons by all three men and they do a far better job than I ever could....but I will provide an anecdote of sorts.
I had an interesting day beginning as I visited an elderly person.....90 years old....who has very limited mobility with a walker....maybe twenty feet at most....and many other assorted ailments do to their age.
I came home and cut the grass before a scheduled visit by our pastor. While cutting the grass I noticed some odd pains in my right knee while pulling the mower backwards. Thirty minutes before my pastor.....and friend....was to arrive....while coming up the steps from the basement....the back of my right knee gave out. It took me about twenty minutes to crawl up five steps....and now it was ten minutes before he would arrive. My wife then came home and asked if I wanted her to call the pastor and cancel....but I said no....I want fellowship and to talk of our Savior more than I want to deal with this knee. She procured a walker from a neighbor.....if I could get up on the walker. I did just as the pastor was coming up the front steps. I explained the situation....and we had a wonderful time of Christian fellowship for about two hours.
So he then left....and my wife had to leave for an appointment that she had to honor. What could I do....for I can't hardly move? Well I was able to sit at a table....and I booted up this computer....and surely God put this idea in my mind....I watched that wonderful Billy Graham 1979 movie....Joni!
Is there a more wonderful Christian ever in the history of the church than Joni Eareckson Tada? Well I'm sure there are others who are up there with her....but none surpass her in speaking....both orally and through a faithful life....than she has!
I saw this film way back when....probably the early 80s....and a few times since....but it is....or rather Joni Eareckson Tada is....God's answer in a faithful life....to the question on why suffering is allowed. There will be a day....the beginning of eternity....when this lady runs and skips and cartwheels praises to her Savior. You can take the effect that she has had on me....in encouraging and humbling me....(Oh my poor little knee hurts)....and multiply it millions of times with millions of Christians over the past many years!
Why don't you boot the movie up and watch it tonight?
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