Proverbs31Inspired

say to yourself: I _______(name) AM THE LUCKIEST PERSON ON EARTH BECAUSE I AM A CHILD OF GOD!

http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/about_us.htm


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 we
shocked and had no answers at all! There is still no medical reason why
this had happened and Nick now has a Brother and Sister who were born just
like any other baby.

The whole church mourned over my birth and my parents were absolutely
devastated. Everyone asked, "if God is a God of Love, then why would God
let something this bad happen to not just anyone, but 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 biggest 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 that complete
overtook their hearts. God provided them strength, wisdom and courage
through those early years and soon after that I was old enough to go to
school.

There are a few people who assume that because of my physical disability
that it meant that I'd also be mentally disabled. The law in Australia
didn't allow me to be integrated into a main-stream school because of my
physical disability. God did miracles and gave my Mom the strength to fight
for the law to be changed. I was one of the first disabled students to be
integrated into a main-stream school.

I liked going to school, and just 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 learnt 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 learnt 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
the fact that I wasn't born in a third world country 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.

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-one 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 learnt 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"(i watched the episode!)! 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.

In Christ,
Nick Vujicic

posted by cordelia @ 1:45 PM