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Recently, while listening to the old hymn, It is Well With My Soul, I read this about the writer: The words to this hymn was written after two major traumas in Spafford's life. The first was the Great Chicago Fire of October 1871, which ruined him financially. Shortly after, while crossing the Atlantic, all four of Spafford's daughters died in a collision with another ship. Spafford's wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram: "SAVED ALONE." Several weeks later, as Spafford's own ship passed near the spot where his daughters died, he was inspired to write these words. Bliss originally named the tune "Ville de Havre" after the ship on which Spafford's four girls perished, the SS Ville de Havre. Ironically, Bliss himself died in a tragic train wreck shortly after writing this music. ------------- This past weekend, a friend shared something with me that has generated much reflection on how I was treated in grade school. She saw a guy who was in our third grade class, the first year I was in a ‘non-disabled’ school, and my name came up. “Remember when Mrs. Pepper told us Shelly would not live beyond age 12? Now look at her!” (Mrs. Pepper was our teacher who prepped the class for a new student with cerebral palsy the week before my arrival.) Can you imagine what those 3graders had to go through believing I would soon pass away? It’s a wonder the whole class didn’t have to go directly to counseling! In Ephesians 3:13, Paul tells the Ephesians, I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. Paul willingly suffered persecution to share the Gospel with others. This is what is meant by ‘taking up your cross to follow Jesus’ – being willing to endure any suffering and pain, even death, to live for Him. Jesus said anyone who would not take up his cross and follow him is not worthy of him, and whoever tries to save his life (live for himself instead of for Christ) will lose it (Matthew 10:38,39). I relate to Paul in that nothing will take me from following Jesus. That is one of the few things I know without a doubt. I once tried to discount the existence of God by writing (or trying to write) my reasons for doubting. I couldn’t do it. I could not come up with a single reason why He isn’t who the Bible says he is. This is not something I can credit to myself such as my ‘faith’, rather it is what He has planted in me… I just know He is who he says he is (Ephesians 2:8,9). However, I cannot say that I willingly suffer as Paul did. I do not willingly live with cerebral palsy, Crohn’s disease, and clinical depression for the sake of the gospel. I am not that selfless to have the self-discipline to willingly suffer great hardships for Him. My spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak. Do you know what is cool, though? God knew I would have little self-discipline, so he helps me carry my cross. By allowing me to have disabilities that cause suffering in addition to His planting in me an unshakeable intimacy with him, my life points to him. I am merely the vessel by which he gets glory. When tempted to ask Him why troubles keep coming, He reminds me my temporary difficulties are nothing in comparison to the results of enduring such trials in faith. He reminds me that he works everything out for my good. He reminds me to be still and know that he is God. And it is in those times when I can too sing... Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, it is well- it is well with my soul.

"Bible verse and quote" from Jan Couns

Bible and Quote - February 18-22

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