16 May, 2007
Chelsey is paralyzed and blind, but still glorifying God!
Chelsey (center) with youth pastor and with friends at prom
The fact that Chelsey Junker, from Mt. Lake, Minnesota, recently attended her school prom and is about to graduate is nothing short of a miracle from God! Jesus took Chelsey to prom and she takes Him with her everywhere she goes.
In January 2005, Chelsey was in a snowmobile accident. Surviving the trauma of major brain injuries and a severed spinal chord, Chelsey returned home after seven months in a hospital. Chelsey is paralyzed from the chest down and is unable to see. She has made incredible progress in her speech and the use of her arms. Chelsey's sweet spirit, sense of humor, and most of all - her love for Christ - blesses everyone who meets her!
I know this first hand, because I had the privilege of being one of the pastors at Chelsey's church.
One of my memories of Chelsey "dancing" with Jesus took place during in our church during a sharing time in a worship service. Chelsey raised her hand and waved for our attention. Our youth pastor went to Chelsey and held the mic in front of her. In her quiet voice, she said, "I praise God that I'm alive."
To say that tears filled the room is putting mildly. To say that God filled our hearts with His love and our minds with His truth is putting it clearly! Once again, we were all reminded that God loves us and has a perfect plan and purpose for each of us. He alone is worthy of all our praise!
What do you need to praise God for today? In what problem do you need to trust God? Even though life is often hard to understand and you can't see the future...God does.
Thank you Chelsey!
Praise Him when life is painful?
Jesus takes Chelsey to prom!
Romans 8:28
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Ephesians 1:11-12
11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. (ESV)
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about a "good" result that can come out of pain and suffering?
We are currently spending several days looking at the "good" that God brings out of bad.
Do you remember the DAILYBIDES from the past couple of days? We found out from Paul that God causes everything to work for our "good". That "good" is that God wants us to glorify Him as we become more and more like Jesus Christ.
One of those "good" results is that PAIN AND SUFFERING CAN TEACH US. Remember, God's purpose is to make us Holy, not happy. He wants us to learn that He is completely in control, infinite in wisdom and perfect in His love for us!
Another "good" result is that PAIN AND SUFFERING CAN GLORIFY GOD THROUGH US.
Chelsey and her family members have trusted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. The family has experienced incredible pain but they are demonstrating incredible faith. They keep saying that God is in control and has a purpose in this tragedy. The Junker family knows God's love is perfect and they trust Him even though they don't like their circumstances and have days when they feel like they can't go on.
At the same time they are praying like crazy for God to heal and restore Chelsey completely. Do you see it? God is being glorified by the faith of the Junker family!
When followers of Jesus personally apply the truths of who God is in their lives, God is glorified through the pain and suffering of His children.
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Thank God that though He will not keep you from all pain and suffering, He will never leave you alone with your problems. Praise Him for being in control, infinite in wisdom and that His love for you is perfect! Ask Him for the faith you need to trust Him when you are tested. Let Him know of your desire to become mature in Christ. Ask for the Spirit's power in you to enable you to glorify Him when you experience pain and suffering.
- Memorize today's scripture. It is a truth from God's Word to help you respond God's way to pain and suffering.
- Write down whatever problems you are currently facing. They may not be as terrible as what Chelsey is going through, but that's ok, because they're painful to you and your loving Father wants you to come to Him. Every day this week, go to God in prayer about them and ask Him to use them to teach you about His love and plan for your life.
- Talk to your youth leader, pastor or another Christian friend about what you've written down and ask for their input and prayer.
How can we connect today's story and God's Story and our story with others?
- Pray for Chelsey Junker and her family - for healing, strength and patience.
- Do you have a friend who is a Christ follower and in the middle of tough times? If you think that today's DAILYBIDE could encourage them, send it to him or her. BUT, make sure that this friend is beyond the shock and initial grief in their difficult experience.
- When someone in your storysphere, who is not a Christ follower, experiences pain and suffering, pray for him or her. Pray also for Jesus to show you how to care for this person in their difficult situation. You may need to just be there and listen or cry with them for a long time. At some point, as you abide in Jesus, His Spirit will prompt you what to say and when to say it.
- Use this DAILYBIDE as a study guide with your small group or youth group.
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