My Mission
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada, and I am on a mission!
And guess what? It’s the same mission that you have. Thankfully, I don’t have to write out my mission statement, and neither do you, because it’s already written clearly out for us in Acts chapter 20 verse 24. Get this, “Our lives are worth nothing unless we use them for doing the work assigned to us by the Lord Jesus … ” now, get this, “… the work of telling others the Good News about God’s almighty kindness and love.“ Yep, that’s the mission statement God has given me, and He’s given it to you, too. So, don’t ever think that you have no purpose in your Christian walk; don’t buy into that lie that your life has no meaning. Don’t sit around and wait for God to tell you what to do. He’s already given you – and me, too – a very clear mission. Today, right now, you and I are to get about the work of telling others the good news about God’s love in Jesus Christ. So, just who are those others that you’re supposed to tell?
Earlier today I was in the doctor’s office and while I was in the waiting room, I struck up a conversation with the woman next to me. And during our time together, she confessed she was a little nervous about her appointment – she didn’t know if she was gonna get good news or bad. This was a golden opportunity and so I said with a smile, “Well, you know, the Bible says to cast all your anxieties on God because He cares for you. And He proved it through Jesus.” She gave me a warm smile and right then, they called her name, and she got up and went in to see the doctor, and I was unable to say more. But I knew that a small Gospel seed had been planted.
Now true, it was not the entire gospel, but I prayed right there in the waiting room that the Lord would bring across her path followers of Jesus who would be able to share more. And who knows? Maybe she did know a Christian, but had been resisting their help? Well, I prayed that our encounter would open a door in her heart. Because prayer changes things. It changes people. And as we get about the mission of telling others about God’s kindness and love (as creatively as we can; making the most of every opportunity), guess what? Lives can be transformed.
One way to share the gospel is to give the Joni book. Back in March, when I was in the hospital for a couple of weeks, nurses and others would always ask how I was doing. And I’d usually say, “You know, Jesus is giving me such peace. Not as the world gives, you know what, so my heart’s not troubled.” Then, they usually got a pep-talk from Ken Tada, and either a Joni story gospel tract or a Joni book. And you can do the same. You can tell unbelievers that you know someone who has hope beyond their suffering… you can tell them that you and I are friends (after all, it’s not called Joni and Friends for nothing, right?)! And then, share a Joni’s Story gospel tract, or maybe the Joni book. You can find both in our store at joniandfriends.org.
Just tell people who are going through great hardships (and maybe if you’re in the hospital)… tell them that God is good. When life is hard, God is so very good – but we only discover how good when, every day, we get about his Acts chapter 20 verse 24 mission. Whether it’s in a waiting room, in a hospital, in a college dormitory … wherever. I’ve posted a photo of how I shared Christ when I was in the hospital – yes, even with the people who drew blood from my veins! Visit joniradio.org and take a look. And God bless you as today, you get about the mission. Your mission described in Acts chapter 20 verse 24.
God bless you today, and thanks for listening to Joni and Friends!
© Joni and Friends
Joni – An Unforgettable Story
The classic autobiography of a young woman’s loss and triumphant faith that continues to inspire millions. This latest edition includes a foreword by Francis Chan, a new 16-page full-color photo insert, and all-new afterword, and an updated resource section.
