Monday, Oct. 11th Update from Joni

By |Published On: October 11, 2010|Categories: News|

Monday, Oct. 11th Update from Joni

This past Friday I had a chance to briefly visit the office of Joni and Friends. I didn’t realize all the team leaders for our upcoming Wheels for the World trip to Peru would be gathering there, and it was a blessed time with old friends whom I’ve traveled with on past Wheels trips. As I left the office, I found myself itching to put this ‘cancer thing’ behind me and “get back to real kingdom work.” Who was I kidding?! Real kingdom work (I reminded myself) is fighting not to allow Satan to suck my faith dry in this current trial; it’s also striving to trust God that he has sent this trial to point me and others to Him.

When Christians suffer, Satan works overtime to erode and “eat up” our faith; whereas God seeks to test, refine, and strengthen our faith. And our responsibility in this cosmic struggle? “So then, those of you who suffer according to God’s will should commit yourself to your faithful Creator and continue to do good” (I Peter 4:19). Committing yourself to God is trusting him… continuing to do good is obeying him. There it is, trust and obey. That’s doing kingdom work. And it’s a lot more demanding than me going on a Wheels trip, especially when pain piles on top of things. But like Dr. John Piper said in one of his sermons, “God’s great purpose in all our suffering will be accomplished when we do what Jesus did in the agony of his cross when he cried out, ‘Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit.'” And when I entrust my spirit to him, the Holy Spirit, bless his heart, is quick to pour out strength, comfort, and encouragement reminding me that “this too shall pass.”

Ken and I are pretty excited that my sister Jay flies back here on October 12 to help me with my next and, hopefully, final round of chemo. Each round piles its stuff on top of the next, so I’m taking a deep breath and hoping for the best in this final phase. That means praying that my lungs remain clear… that infections keep their distance… that my bones hold up… and that my energy not bottom out. Most of all, ask God to strengthen my faith and refine it, just as he has promised :-).

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