Even though Joni’s wheelchair is always on rabbit speed, she’s discovered a constant, peaceful rest in God’s presence that refreshes the soul like nothing else. Tune in to this fun interview between Joni and Shauna!
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SHAUNA: Welcome to Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope. You know, a lot of people think Joni’s always on the go in her wheelchair. And you know what? They’re right!
JONI: It does seem my wheelchair is always on rabbit speed [I should explain that – you see, on my power stick, I have only two speeds. One is a little turtle icon, that means slow; and the other is this little rabbit symbol, and that means go fast]. And so, I am usually on the go like a rabbit, and believe me, I am so very grateful for that because I have spent long seasons in bed, recovering from pressure sores and the like; and I tell you what, it’s not easy to slow down. So, when I am up and about, I am so thankful. Because I know that one day, maybe not long in the future, there will come a time when I cannot be a rabbit, I cannot be on the go; a time when I cannot travel or sit up in my wheelchair as long as I do.
Still, I want you to know that even as on-the-go as I am, I do love to rest. God says in Exodus 33:14, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Don’t you love that? Because when I am moving forward into life, God’s presence goes with me. And as He goes with me, He gives me rest. How can I enjoy God’s rest when I’m moving through life on rabbit speed? Well, for one thing, my paralysis means that I have a kind of, it’s a kind of built-in rest. I am always sitting; I am never moving even though I’m on the go. So, I carry around me in my body a beautiful kind of constant rest that is always so peaceful, so satisfying.
I once read an essay on rest, in which the writer reflected on what a godly rest is. She says it means to “step out of self-life into Christ-life; to lie still and let Him lift you out of it; to fold your hands close, and hide your face on the hem of His garment; to let Him lay His soothing, cooling, healing hands upon your soul, and draw out from you all the hurry and the fever from your veins; to realize that you are not a mighty messenger, an important worker of His, full of care and responsibility, but only a little child, with a Father’s gentle bidding to heed and fulfill. To rest in God’s presence means to lay your busy plans and ambitions confidently in His hands. To cease to live in self and for self, and to live in Him and for Him; to love His honor more than your own; to be a clear medium for His life-tide to shine and glow through. This is consecration; this is rest.”
And oh, friend, this is the kind of rest I’m talking about – it is so satisfying, so refreshing. And I am utterly grateful to my wheelchair for making it possible; I do not know what I would do without my paralysis. I know that sounds strange, but it provides a constant rest for me. Years ago, I decided to be done with the striving and anxious feelings. You know, done with the restlessness. Once I embraced God in my wheelchair, it gave me a peace and a rest that passes all human understanding. And as I said for that I am so grateful.
So today, whatever speed you are on, embrace God. Know that He is with you in it. And like Exodus 33:14 says, His Presence is going to go with you. He’ll give you rest. No matter how busy you are, step out of self-life and into Christ-life.
SHAUNA: So today, friend, hide your face in the hem of Christ’s garment and you’ll see everything clearly. If you need prayer for any of this, remember to share your prayer request with us at joniradio.org.
© Joni and Friends