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| Life Without Limb - a breakthrough
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Last night I went to church. Normally I stick with Sunday's for church but last night there was a speaker coming that I wanted to see. His name is Nick Vujicic. He was born without arms or legs. I'd seen Nick here and there on tv, giving his testamonial - so knowing that he was going to be going to "my" church I knew I had to go there. I wasn't prepared for what happened.
It started out with him making a few jokes, breaking the ice as he put it. In all actuality he poked fun at his body, calling his foot a "chicken wing". He made funny faces, told funny stories. He made me laugh and he made me cry. Most importantly he made me think and to FEEL.
I sat there in my seat crying when he spoke about how he would never be able to dance with his wife at their wedding, how he'd never be able to hug his children when they cry. He said something that broke me - he said, "I may not be able to hold her (when I do find someone to marry), I may not be able to hold her hand - but I will be able to hold her heart." How profound!
Here is this guy who has been delt a very hard hand - yet here he is, glorious in his speaking, glorious in his heart, glorious in his love of God... and here I am, perfectly healthy with 2 arms, 2 legs, 10 fingers and 10 toes - and I am jealous of a man who has none of that. What does that say about me? I'll tell you what it says... I need to change! That's exactly what I plan on doing.
Every Sunday the pastor of my church asks for people to come up to the front (by the stage) if they believe they need to be prayed for. If they needed salvation - every Sunday I sit in my seat, never moving. Last night however, I felt something so deep that when he (Nick) asked for those of us who felt the need to come up to the stage and kneel and pray for God's forgivness, for His love, for his forgivness, for His guidance... I didn't hesitate. I got out of my seat, walked over a few pairs of legs so I could get to the isle and I walked my sobbing, broken self to the edge of the stage and I kneeled. I prayed, I cried, I prayed, I asked for forgiveness for the things I see myself doing even though I know better, I asked for God to clense me of the bad things I've done in the past and asked his forgivness for. Yes I know God has forgiven me, I need to forgive me. Last night, I gave myself to God. Fully.
I feel lighter, tired but lighter. I know that before my self doubt of who I am, who I have become needs to be given to God. He KNOW's me, He will guide me.
After Nick was finished speaking he asked those of us who came to the stage to go to a back room because he wanted to give us all a hug... I went. I have to tell you all that I felt in a sense, unworthy to hug this man. This wonderful man who has lead so many to a life that is good. I did it anyway. He's a great hugger. I hope that I am able to even touch 1 life the way Nick has touched millions - I will know and feel like I've done something worthy of Gods love.
Here's a snippit about Nick, I copied from his website, I will include the link to his website at the end. Please check it out if you want.
About Nick VujicicA Remarkable Story of God's Grace
It says in James 1:2 - "Consider it pure joy, my Brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds."
....To count our hurt, pain and struggle as nothing but pure joy? As my parents were Christians, and my Dad even a Pastor of our church, they knew that verse very well. However, on the morning of the 4th of December 1982 in Melbourne (Australia), the last two words on the minds of my parents was "Praise God!". Their firstborn son had been born without limbs! There were no warnings or time to prepare themselves for it. The doctors were shocked and had no answers at all!
The whole church mourned over my birth and my parents were absolutely devastated. "If God is a God of Love, then why would He let something this happen? especially to dedicated Christians" My Dad thought I wouldn't survive for very long, but tests proved that I was a healthy baby boy just with a few limbs missing.
Understandably, my parents had strong concern and evident fears of what kind of life I'd be able to lead. The first big hurdle was for my parents to be at peace and trusting that God was in control. It took a number of months of tears, questions and grief before coming to term within their own hearts. God provided them strength, wisdom and courage through those early years and soon after that I was old enough to go to school.
I liked going to school, and try to live life like everyone else, but it was in my early years of school where I encountered uncomfortable times of feeling rejected, weird and bullied because of my physical difference. It was very hard for me to get used to, but with the support of my parents, I started to develop attitudes and values which helped me overcome these challenging times. I knew that I was different but on the inside I was just like everyone else. There were many times when I felt so low that I wouldn't go to school just so I didn't have to face all the negative attention. I was encouraged by my parents to ignore them and to try start making friends by just talking with some kids. Soon the students realized that I was just like them, and starting there God kept on blessing me with new friends.
There were times when I felt depressed and angry because I couldn't change the way I was, or blame anyone for that matter. I went to Sunday School and learned that God loves us all and that He cares for you. I understood that love to a point as a child, but I didn't understand that if God loved me why did He make me like this? Is it because I did something wrong? I thought I must have because out of all the kids at school, I'm the only weird one. I felt like I was a burden to those around me and the sooner I go, the better it'd be for everyone. I wanted to end my pain and end my life at a young age, but I am thankful once again, for my parents and family who were always there to comfort me and give me strength.
Due to my emotional struggles I had experienced with bullying, self esteem and loneliness, God has implanted a passion of sharing my story and experiences to help others cope with whatever challenge they have in their life and let God turn it into a blessing. To encourage and inspire others to live to their fullest potential and not let anything get in the way of accomplishing their hopes and dreams.
As I grew older God continued to prepare my heart and teach me to seek Him. One of the first lessons that I have learned was not to take things for granted. I had that wake up call around the age of twelve and realised just how much I was blessed with. I take my foot for granted, my family and all blessings that God had freely given and I still complain? I came across;
Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things God works for the best for those who love Him."
That verse spoke to my heart and convicted me to the point where that I know that there is no such thing as luck, chance or coincidence that these "bad" things happen in our life. In;
James 1:3&4 - "...know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
I had complete peace knowing that God won't let anything happen to us in our life unless He has a good purpose for it all. I completely gave my life to Christ at the age of fifteen after reading John 9. Jesus said that the reason the man was born blind was "so that the works of God may be revealed through Him." I truly believed that God would heal me so I could be a great testimony of His Awesome Power. Later on I was given the wisdom to understand that if we pray for something, if it's God's will, it'll happen in His time. If it's not God's will for it to happen, then I know that He has something better. I now see that Glory revealed as He is using me just the way I am and in ways others can't be used.
I am now twenty-four years old and have completed a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Financial Planning and Accounting. I am also a motivational speaker and love to go out and share my story and testimony wherever opportunities become available. I have developed talks to relate to and encourage students through topics that challenge today's teenagers. I am also a speaker in the corporate sector. For more information on Nick's presentations go to "Nick's Ministry".
In recent years, I have learned to become independent and can now take care of all my personal needs. I can do everything from brushing my teeth, combing my hair, dressing up, taking care of my personal hygiene and even shaving. I get around the house by jumpin' around and, outside the house, I get around in an electric wheelchair. I love to swim, fish and play soccer. I have a passion for reaching out to youth and keep myself available for whatever God wants me to do, and wherever He leads, I follow.
I have many dreams and goals that I have set to achieve in my life. I want to become the best witness I can be of God's Love and Hope, to become an international inspirational speaker and be used as a vessel in both Christian and non-Christian venues. I want to become financially independent by the age of 25, through real estate investments, to modify a car for me to drive and to be interviewed and share my story on the "Oprah Winfrey Show"! Writing several best-selling books has been one of my dreams and I hope to finish writing my first by the end of the year. It will be called "No Arms, No Legs, No Worries!"
You might think these goals are too far-fetched. However, I believe that if you have the desire and passion to do something, and if it's God's will, you will achieve it in good time. As humans, we continually put limits on ourselves for no reason at all! What's worse is putting limits on God who can do all things. We put God in a "box". The awesome thing about the Power of God, is that if we want to do something for God, instead of focusing on our capability, concentrate on our availability for we know that it is God through us and we can't do anything without Him. Once we make ourselves available for God's work, guess whose capabilities we rely on? God's!
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
God has a Great Purpose for your life! As far as your unanswered prayers, remember that God is Faithful. What are we to do when we are seeking but not finding?
Jeremiah 29:12 - "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord...
Take courage my friend for the Battle is the Lord's and I urge you to keep striving for the truth. For it is the truth that will set you free and the Peace of God that surpasses all understanding will reign in your heart. May the Lord Bless you as you diligently seek Him and grant you Godly Wisdom and Strength through your journey.
If you know of an audience which may benefit from hearing Nick's story please contact us at support@lifewithoutlimbs.org - Have a look and see if Nick is speaking in your local area!
In Christ,
Nick Vujicic
http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/about-nick-vujicic.php
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Posted by Whitters on 2008-02-07 10:20:55 | Rating: | Views: 295
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thanks for reading it :)
looks like we both had a break-through last night.
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Posted by Whitters
on 2008-02-07 10:34:36
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Hey whit.
Wow, that was really great. I understand what you said about not feeling worthy, and how you were jelous of this man. Sometimes, it takes someone who has nothing to make someone else appreciate what they have. Even if it's one thing that makes you special, that thing can help change the world.
Reading this blog and about this man made me realise how lucky I am. Even though I am one of the millions, I can change the world just by smiling at someone that day, or talking to someone who's feeling down.
I play music. I enjoy it, and I have everyone telling me that I'm really good at it. I keep telling them to stop it, that someone else needs their praise for something that's difficult, that I don't need their praise for something that comes easily. Maybe this is kind of like a hidden moral?
I dunno, maybe that's just in my mind 'cause I'm sick and tired... =P
I hope you post more often, I enjoy reading your thoughts!
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Posted by MAK
on 2008-02-10 21:18:09
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Thank you. I am so glad I found this posting. Pete
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Posted by pgm
on 2008-02-12 15:50:38
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