The eyes of the Lord are on people in need, even on the other side of the world. From Ohio to China, God provides and is watching over.
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada with an amazing story.
And it all began when I received a letter from a quadriplegic in China. He had recently come to Christ and now saw his disabled friends as his mission field. He really wanted to get around and go see them, but he couldn't use his hands. This man knew that if he was to reach out to other people with disabilities to tell them about Jesus, he would need a power wheelchair. And so he wrote me, all the way from the Peoples’ Republic of China, asking for help. Now, you know me! If I hear of a quadriplegic in need, no matter if it’s here in the States or another part of the world, I want to help. But I kept thinking, “Where am I going to get a power wheelchair, and how will we get it to China?” I mean, power wheelchairs are pretty expensive, and if you add to that the cost of sending it overseas, boy, it really adds up. Now, I thought about our Wheels for the World outreach, but we don’t take power wheelchairs; only manual push chairs. So I prayed, “Lord Jesus, this quadriplegic in China knows you, and he wants to share your love with others who hurt. I know beyond a doubt, that you want to see him accomplish that goal, so please show me how you intend to solve this problem!”
Well the same week I prayed that prayer, I received a late-night call from John, a friend in Ohio. His disabled wife, who had been struggling as a quadriplegic for years, his wife had suddenly passed away. And he called me that night to tell me this. He said: "Joni, we just purchased a new $20,000 power wheelchair. Honestly, my wife hardly used it. Think you can find someone who really needs it?" Immediately, I thought of the guy in China and I blurted out, "Of course!" But just as immediately, I wondered, “Okay, how are we going to get a hold of this wheelchair in Ohio? And there’s crating and there’s shipping.”
Before I could say another thing, John added, "Oh, Joni, by the way, we received some financial gifts at the funeral and I'd love to use them to cover the costs of sending this chair to whoever needs it, no matter how far away." I couldn’t believe it! When I heard that, I was breathless. I told John about the quadriplegic in China, and he thought there would be more than enough money to cover the expense of sending it so far. There on the phone, John and I rejoiced together, utterly amazed at how the eyes of the Lord were on a quadriplegic on the other side of the earth, and just as much, God’s eyes were on a widower in Ohio with a slightly used wheelchair who needed a little encouragement. And the Lord wanted to strengthen the hearts of both!
It happens in China. It happens in Ohio. And it can happen to you. Of all the places in the earth, God has his eyes on you. 2 Chronicles 16:9 says, "For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." Don’t you love that? God desires to strengthen the hearts of those who are committed to him. And friend, you can demonstrate to the Lord that he has your undivided heart. You can be fully committed to him and just know that I love sharing this sort of hope with you every single day so, please join me next time right here for more inspiration and even more hope. And by the way, if you’d like to share this program on your Facebook page, just click the “share” button at joniradio.org. Spread the word and the hope! This is Joni Eareackson Tada and I pray that God will look upon you today and in his great mercy, strengthen your faith and give you an undivided heart. Oh, and please pray for my quadriplegic friend in China, as now he goes about sharing the good news of Jesus to people with disabilities.
© Joni and Friends