Hi this is Joni Eareckson Tada and I’ve just got to tell you about one particular person who really inspires me. That’s what I love about Joni and Friends... I can always share with you the stories of the incredible people who uplift me. People like Ryan Mazza.
Now let me tell you about Ryan. He is a profoundly disabled 29-year-old who lives in a care center down in Orange County. He was born with Crouzon's syndrome and has endured countless setbacks, surgeries… all of which have left him blind, mentally handicapped, paralyzed, and he’s unable to feed himself. But I'll tell you what -- he can hear. Ryan loves the sound of his father's voice -- he could be sitting there in a room with nurses and facility employees walking right by him, but when he hears those words, "Hey buddy; hey Ryan," he starts laughing out loud. Ryan may be mentally delayed and blind and paralyzed, but he longs for the voice of his father. He loves it… especially when his dad reads to him from the Bible.
In fact, his father, Doug Mazza, used to work as senior American executive for the Suzuki Motor Company located near Ryan's care center in Orange County? And many times the nurse would call Doug out of an important meeting: "Uh, Mr. Mazza, uh, we are having trouble getting Ryan to eat his lunch... would you please come over? We know he'll respond to you!" And no matter if it was a top management meeting or a marketing presentation, it was pick-up-his-coat, grab the keys, and Doug was out-the-door to go help his son. And there in his nice business suit, this Suzuki executive, Doug Mazza, with a “Hey, buddy, H’ya Ryan,” he’d pull up a chair next to his son with the cafeteria tray, spoon up some applesauce, and help Ryan finish his lunch. Ryan responded to his dad and to this day, Doug reflects, "No one has impacted me more for Christ than Ryan." This young man inspires not only Doug, though, but thousands who hear his story.
Did I say “thousands who hear his story?” Does this make Ryan nothing more than an audio-visual aid in the hands of a utilitarian God who only uses him for inspiring others? Are Ryan's severe hardships merely "object lessons" from which we can learn? I mean, c’mon, what does Ryan stand to gain? Well, he stands to gain plenty! What others gain from observing Ryan's sweet attitude gets credited to his eternal account. How do I know? Well, the apostle Paul calls the Philippians “his joy, his crown.” I mean, that’s incredible. He is saying that others enrich his joy for eternity. And Paul even turns it around and says the same for them; he tells them that “Your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.”
Almighty God notices when Ryan's life encourages others - if they profit, Ryan gains. If his dad is rewarded, Ryan reaps. Ryan's "joy and crown" are people who are blessed by his example. Think of the crowns being reserved for Ryan Mazza! Oh, and by the way, his father left Suzuki years ago... and for the past 10 years, Doug Mazza has served as our President here at Joni and Friends.
Ryan stands to gain a lot in heaven. And so do you as you inspire and encourage others through your obedience to Jesus. So don’t give up. Don’t let the devil tell you otherwise. Let Ryan’s example inspire you to continue to influence all those around you with the love of Jesus Christ. Because one day you’ll stand alongside Ryan and cast all those crowns you both have gained… you’ll cast them at the feet of Jesus. That’s one reward that makes life – even Ryan’s disabled life, as tough as it is – it makes living worthwhile. This is Joni Eareckson Tada and you’ve been listening to "Joni and Friends.”
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