Out of hard places

I couldn't believe it! Out of a thin crack in the sidewalk, poppies had pushed up to bloom. This sight a block from my home reminded me of men and women whose blossoming faith impacted the world despite the “thin cracks” of personal setbacks and disabilities. One example is Joni Eareckson Tada, left quadriplegic after a diving accident.  She could have retreated from life, but chose instead to trust God to work through her disability. She’s known as a gifted mouth artist, advocate for the disabled, and articulate speaker and author on issues of suffering. Here are a few more, many from history, a few more recent. How many can you identify? Answers are at the end.

 1. Born into poverty, his godly mother died when he was eight. A godly stepmother raised him. He was largely self-taught and homely. His fiancée died before their wedding. He repeatedly lost elections until finally winning one, only to face an unpopular war. His wife’s emotional problems worsened after two sons died. Yet he’s remembered as one of the greatest leaders of history.

2. His family was too poor to afford him an education, so he apprenticed to a pawnbroker. He quit after deciding that business was unfair to the poor.  He started an organization whose early members were pelted by rotten fruit. It since has helped millions in desperate situations.

3. This man was only four—the youngest of six—when his father died. With only a fifth grade education, he got a job a shoe salesman. He left that for a vastly different occupation that stretched his faith and endurance to their limits.

4. Another born in poverty, as a youth he showed unusual musical talent. A relative helped him get some music training. He became well known in his field before dying at age 38 in a train wreck.

5. This woman grew up in the slums with an abusive, alcoholic father. When only thirteen, she went to work in mills with despicable conditions in order to support her mother and siblings. Her later occupation depended on the faith and determination fostered she learned as a teen.

6. His father is unknown; he was separated from his mother in a heart-breaking transaction when only an infant. His faith and “never-say-no” attitude led to accolades in his occupation.

7. This man’s father died in a war. When his stepfather abandoned the family, the boy and his brother ended up in an orphanage. His athletic ability and heart for God led to two well-known careers.

8. This boy had attention deficit disorder, long before such problems had names. He ran away from home at 13, returned, and managed to finish eighth grade before getting a job in a foundry. His adult faith was tested by a broken neck, serious burns, bankruptcy and his firstborn’s death. He died known for extraordinary philanthropy.

9. The third of six in a farm family, he only completed elementary school and went to work for a tire factory. But he loved reading and learning, and ended up as a Christian leader and author.

10. Ever since childhood, this man suffered with a vision impairment and hearing loss, among other physical problems. Rather than give in to them, he focused on things he could do for Christ, becoming a best-selling author.

11. This man was born with brain injuries, and suffered constant physical pain along with merciless ridicule while growing up. He was orphaned at fourteen and soon dropped out of school. After becoming a Christian, he finished his education, including college, married, and became a nationally known speaker despite great verbal challenges.

12. This man was born in 1982 in Australia with no arms or legs. His faith and determination have led to a worldwide speaking ministry.

ANSWERS:

1. President Abraham Lincoln. His world-view shaped by the Bible, he came to genuine faith in Jesus shortly before his assassination.

2. William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army.

3. D.L. Moody, evangelist on two continents, founder of Bible schools.

4. Philip Bliss, Moody crusade musician and the greatest hymnist of his generation (“Almost Persuaded,” “Hallelujah, What a Savior,” “Wonderful Words of Life” and many others).

5. Mary Slessor, missionary for four decades in Calabar (now Nigeria).

6. George Washington Carver, exchanged for a racehorse by slave traders, who as an agricultural research scientist found 300 marketable uses for the peanut.

7. Baseball-player-turned evangelist Billy Sunday.

8. R.G. Letourneau, owner of an earth-moving machine company, who gave 90 per cent of his income to the Lord’s work.

9. A.W. Tozer, leader of the Christian and Missionary Alliance and author best known for The Knowledge of the Holy.

10. Jerry Bridges, Navigator-affiliated author of the best-selling The Pursuit of Holiness and The Practice of Godliness.

11. David Ring, Christian motivational speaker known for this line: “I have cerebral palsy. What’s your problem?”

12. Nick Vujicic.