A Life Without Limbs: NIck Vujicic
 
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, that’s tough! As my parents were Christians and my Dad a pastor of our church, they knew that verse very well. However, on the morning of the December 4th 1982 in Australia, the last two words on the minds of my parents were “Praise God!” Their first 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 like 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.
 
Bullied for being different
Understandably, my parents had strong concerns and evident fears of what kind of life I’d be able to lead. The first 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 terms within their own hearts. God provided them strength, wisdom and courage through those early years and soon I was old enough to go to school.
I liked going to school and tried to live life like everyone else, but it was in my early years of school where I encountered uncomfortable times of feeling rejected and weird. I was 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 this and to try to start making friends by just talking with some kids. Soon the students realised that I was just like them and from that time God kept on blessing me with new friends.
 
Learning gratitude
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 and for me. I understood that love in my capacity as a child, but I didn’t understand how it was possible that a God who loved me could make me limbless? Was it because I did something wrong? I thought I must have because out of all the kids at school, I was the only ‘weird’ one. I felt like I was a burden to those around me and the sooner I went, the better it would 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.
As I grew older, God continued to prepare my heart and teach me to seek Him. One of the first lessons that I 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. How can I take my foot for granted, my family and all the blessings that God had freely given me, and 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.”
 
Trusting God’s will
That verse spoke to my heart and convicted me to the point where I knew (and still know!) that there is no such thing as luck, chance or coincidence for the ‘bad’ things that happen in our lives. In James 1:3,4 it says: “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 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.
 
Taking care of myself
Due to the emotional struggles I experienced with bullying, self esteem and loneliness, God has implanted a passion to share my story and experiences to help others cope with whatever challenge they may have in their lives. I want them to let God turn that challenge into a blessing. I want 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.
I am now twenty-four years old and have completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree 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.
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, getting dressed, taking care of my personal hygiene and even shaving. I get around the house by jumping around and outside the house, I use 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. Wherever He leads…I follow.
 
No arms, no legs, no worries
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 areas; 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 television. 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 Him, instead of focusing on our capability we need to concentrate on our availability, for we know that it is God working through us and we can’t do anything without Him. 
 
The battle is the Lord’s
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil 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?  Jer 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.