Hi, this is Joni Eareckson Tada and welcome to Joni and Friends.
Be still my soul the Lord is on thy side
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain
Leave to thy God to order and provide
In every change He faithful will remain
Be still my soul thy best, thy heavenly friend
Through thorny ways, leads to a joyful end
You know, there are a lot of things that I cannot do -- many things. That’s often why I have to sing “Be Still My Soul” there’s so much this body can’t do. I can’t walk, I can’t bend, I cannot lift things, I cannot hold the hand of my husband or stoop to pick up something up off the floor. I can’t stretch, I can’t skip or run. But many a time my soul has been stilled, “be still my soul” and it’s been quieted through watching others who cannot do the same, listening to others, learning from others who trust the Lord Jesus despite what they cannot do. And this is how I feel about a woman named Zuella who wrote beautiful poems many, many years ago. Zuella sat in her wheelchair, disabled by severe arthritis. There were many things she could not do – like me. And I don’t know, as I read this poem maybe your soul will be stilled and quieted this day if there are things you cannot do. Just listen and learn from Zuella this woman who, so many years ago, wrote a poem called “Submission.”
I cannot walk as others do,
O’er earth’s grass tufted sod;
But oh, in spirit I can walk
As Enoch did, with God
I cannot run through field and lane,
Or shaded woodland dim;
But oh, with patience I can run
The race of life with Him.
I cannot scale as others do
Your mountain’s lofty height;
But I can soar above the world
By faith, to realms of light.
I cannot sail to distant lands,
To serve my Savior there;
But from my wheelchair I can hold
The heathen up in prayer.
I shall not weep nor mourn my loss,
Nor try to understand;
But smiling, I’ll lift my face to God
And do the things I can.
Friend, take a little bit of encouragement from this woman, Zuella, and from this beautiful hymn. There may be lots of things you cannot do, but don’t look at the stuff that’s so tempting to mourn the loss of. No, instead look at the things you can do, for you can do all things through Christ today who strengthens you. Friend, thanks so much for these special moments that we’ve been able to share together. Please know that I would love to hear from you. So, drop me a line on Joni’s Corner at joniandfriends.org or you can always contact us at PO Box 3333, Agoura Hills, CA 91376.
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JONI AND FRIENDS
P.O. Box 3333 Agoura Hills, CA 93176
www.joniandfriends.org © Joni and Friends