A lot of parrots like me think that humans look pretty much the same, -well, at least the majority of them. And they probably all think the same about Senegal Parrots. We wear feathers and they wear clothes. But every so often, I come across a human being that is totally different; maybe different in the way that they look, or different in the way they see the world. Or, as in Nick Vujicic’s case, different in both of these ways.
Nick Vujicic was born in 1982, to Serbian immigrants, who had moved to Australia. Due to a rare syndrome called Tetra-Amelia, he was born without limbs. In fact, apart from his head and neck, the only thing he had attached to his trunk was a foot with two toes that came out from his pelvis. After he was born, his mother couldn’t cope and walked straight out of the hospital leaving him behind.
Despite his disabilities, Nick went to a normal school, but there he was the victim of relentless bullying, and at the age of 10, feeling nothing but despair, he attempted to drown himself in a bath of water. Mercifully he failed, and he later went on to discover God and the Christian faith. And God not only came to him but used him in a way that nobody had thought possible. For Nick Vujicic has gone on to become an inspirational evangelist, commenting that:
“If God can use a man without arms and legs to be his hands and feet, then He will certainly use any willing heart!”
For a very long time, Nick believed that he would never be able to do the things that ordinary humans take for granted. And this included falling in love and getting married. But then something changed. He was able to see through the limitations that the human world imposes upon itself. And he was able to work everything through:
“What kind of husband am I gonna be if I can’t even hold my wife’s hand?....but I realised I may not have hands to hold my wife’s hand, but when the time comes, I’ll be able to hold her heart. I don’t need hands to hold her heart.”
And back in 2012, Nick Vujicic did get married to a beautiful wife. And not just that; he went on to have four children with her. It was at this point that he went on to write his inspirational book “Life Without Limits.”
Before long, Nick Vujicic knew that God was helping him steer a path through life and using him to reach others….
“The greatest rewards come when you give of yourself. It’s about bettering the lives of others, being part of something bigger than yourself, and making a positive difference……. If we all could be the true friend to someone, praying and encouraging one person somehow, that’s a first step in being part of making the world a better place.”
He’s now gone on to write a number of books, typing his own manuscripts using his two toes instead of fingers….
“I type 40 words per minute on a normal computer with my left foot. And with two cups of coffee, I can do 53 words per minute!”
And so, this man, that the human world could so easily have labelled as nothing more than a freak and an invalid, has been able to experience and discover things that the able-bodied and so-called ‘better-off’ humans never could…...
“I love my life, because I’ve seen my purpose.”
It doesn’t matter who we are, or whether we are born with disabilities or at a great disadvantage to others. We can still be used by God to make the world around us a better place for all. We just need to be receptive, have an inner belief and determination, and allow ourselves to be guided. And then the sky’s the limit. As a high-flying psittacine, I can definitely say that with some confidence! So irrespective of where you are now, always believe, never give up, and turn your negative thoughts into positive actions. With God at the helm, you will really make a difference and find your real purpose…….
“There is no one who is insignificant in the purpose of God.”
(Alistair Begg: [1952-present]: Scottish-born pastor now based in America).
God will meet you where you are in order to take you where he wants you to go.”
(Tony Evans: [1949-present]: American evangelical pastor, author and broadcaster).
“God wants to use you to make a difference in His world. He wants to work through you. What matters is not the duration of your life, but the donation of it.” (Rick Warren: [1954-present]: American evangelical pastor).
“God gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.”
(Isaiah 40:29)
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
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