My Stories and Toughts

Nick Vujicic Interview with Robert Schuller

Nick Vujicic
by Lydia Rose Proenza

Nick Vujicic (NV) was born without limbs and he shared his powerful testimony in an interview with Robert H. Schuller (RHS) at the Crystal Cathedral on Sunday, February 11, 2007.

Robert Anthony Schuller: And now my father is going to interview Nick Vujicic. This will be probably the most inspiring man you will ever hear, and as a way of introduction we have a video to share with you so if you’d please give your attention to the Jumbotron.

(VIDEO ROLL)

RHS: And all God’s people said, Wow! Wow!

NV: Praise God!

RHS: My goodness. You know, it’s just really the last few hours of this week that I became acquainted with you. And I’m so honored to have you as our guest that I want to add you to a very small exclusive club, it’s called, "Turning your Stars" Club. Many very famous people have been added to that club and I’m announcing that you will be added to that club.

NV: Wow.

RHS: Yes, you’ve turned your scars into stars. Applaud that, please.

NV: Praise God, praise God. Praise God.

RHS: Well, how did it happen? How come you were born without limbs?

NV: Well I’m 24 and there’s actually no medical reason why this has happened. My mum was a nurse and she knew exactly what to do and what not to do in her first pregnancy. I’m their first born son and it was such a great tragedy and they had many questions as parents. And I had many questions as a child, but there were no answers. The world cannot tell us why I was born this way, but I now see the glory of God in it. I just give God all glory and thanks and praise because I am wonderfully and fearfully made. So He has a…

RHS: That’s wonderful.

NV: …plan and a hope and future for everybody. So…

RHS: Wow. Well, how have your parents handled this? I think, of course, when you were born this way, you were not aware of it?

NV: That’s right.

RHS: But your parents were dramatically aware of it. How did they handle it?

NV: I can’t explain it in words. They can’t even explain it in words to me how they felt. They went through many stages of denial and depression, but they took me home straight away after I was born and raised me up just like any other child. But God’s peace guided their heart after four months, and they were able to then trust in God and it was just such a great shock because there’s no trace of any birth defects in either families. I have a brother and a sister born after me and they have no birth defects. But it’s just amazing to see the miracle of God’s grace in my parent’s life as they raised me up as they trusted in God in such a stressful and anxious time of their life.

RHS: There was a drug decades ago, but I think that drug had been outlawed already.

NV: The drugs called Thalidomide.

RHS: Yes.

NV: Yes. That was more in the 60’s and 70’s.

RHS: Yes.

NV: I was born in 1982 and my mom knew all about that. She actually was a midwife and you don’t have midwives out here in America, but a midwife is somebody who can take care of a full delivery so she’s a nurse and a doctor in one. She does every step of the delivery, so she is quite educated and qualified and all that. And so she was aware of those drugs and yes, nothing like that happened.

RHS: Now you have no arms, no legs but you have part of a foot?

NV: I have a little chicken drumstick, you see…

RHS: (LAUGHS)

NV: Ah, this is amazing. We call this a chicken drumstick because first of all it looks like one. And second of all sometimes my dog thinks its one, and he comes up every now and then to start biting on it and I have to kick him in the head a little bit but it is amazing. With this little thing… I have the ability to type 43 words a minute on a normal computer. By the grace of God I’ve accomplished a double degree in accounting and financial planning. I can praise God. I’ve learned how to write and I can walk around and I have this wheelchair and this seat actually goes up and down, so I can be quite independent at home, as you’ve seen on the video, so…

RHS: Wonderful. So you are you self-employed?

NV: You know what? It’s amazing how God has been using me in the last five years of my life. I’ve spoken across 12 nations as a preacher, an evangelist, and I’ve gone across Africa and Southeast Asia. We just came back from India and we had crowds of 100,000 people, and to see tens of thousands commit their lives to Jesus Christ is amazing. So basically I am very excited to say that we have established a non-profit 501C3 organization called Life Without Limbs, which is an organization that funds all that we do. It helps me to go around the world and share my story with the world through DVD’s or take me around the world. And my purpose in life is to go out to the world and say, "If I can trust in God with my circumstances, then you can trust in God with your circumstances." And we know that God’s grace is sufficient and if He doesn’t answer your prayers just know that He is with you and that’s the message, to fear not for I am with you. That’s what God said. So…

RHS: This has been the core of my ministry for 52 years…

NV: Wow.

RHS: …through books, television programs and I’m known for this. If you can dream it, you can do it. Nothing is impossible with God. I was born in 1926 and Matthew 19:26 says, "Nothing is impossible with God."

NV: Wow.

RHS: But I’ve never had anybody that can match your power in affirming that Bible verse. Nobody can match you. Nobody else has been through this.

NV: You know what? A lot of people say, "Nick, I can never imagine what you’ve gone through," or, "You’re the most inspirational story," or something like that. And I take that to heart. I praise God for the inspiration that I am to the world. But it is not to say that there’s someone else out there going through pain. See, we all are denying ourselves and taking up our cross. We all know how it feels to be lonely or broken and the thing is that I could look at you and I say you know what; maybe the things that you’ve gone through are maybe worse than I have. And you’re thinking, "No, no, no I could never imagine myself without arms or legs." You see, we can’t and we should not compare sufferings but this is what we do as a family of God. Come together…

RHS: Okay stop, stop, and repeat that. We should not compare sufferings. That’s a great concept. It’s a great line. Say it again?

NV: We should not compare sufferings.

RHS: Wow.

NV: We shouldn’t. We should not.

RHS: So insightful.

NV: What we do to praise God is we come together as a family of God, hand in hand, holding your hand metaphorically speaking…

RHS: Yes.

NV: …and then together coming and standing upon the promises of God, knowing that no matter who you are, no matter what you’re going through, that God knows it and He’s with you. He’s going to pull you through. And the whole story is on http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/. It’s amazing. I even sit back and say, "God, I’m just an empty vessel. That’s all I am. It is not about me. It is not about my achievements. It is about what I can do and what I can’t do. But it is who I’ve become by the power of Jesus Christ." That’s the message.

RHS: Wow. Wow. You’re 24 years old?

NV: Correct.

RHS: And were there some very, very low times and how did you get through them?

NV: One of my lowest times I do remember was when I was 8 years old. I don’t know if you know this, but I actually grew up in a Christian home…

RHS: Yes. Your father was a pastor?

NV: My father was a pastor.

RHS: Still is maybe?

NV: Still is a pastor. Praise God. They actually planted a church 11 months before I was born. And it was very difficult as a pastor’s son to go to church at times. Not because I’m tired or anything, but it was because I went to Sunday school and I learned that Jesus loves me. And that I am wonderfully and fearfully made. But I got angry at God. I said, "I don’t understand this," and at age 8, I read Jeremiah chapter 29 verse 11 and it says, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future."

I said, "God, what kind of hope and future do I have?" I never thought I’d ever get a job. I went to school and a lot of kids teased me. I had a very good couple of friends that helped me through that. And my family, I praised God for the parents and family I have. Without them I know I wouldn’t be here. But God’s using me in a powerful way, but let me just say this that I wanted to end my life. I didn’t see a future or a hope.

I never thought I’d get married. I said, "God even if I ever did get married, I can’t even hold my wife’s hand. I won’t be able to dance with my bride on our wedding night. When we have children, how am I going to put my arms around my kids when they’re crying?" These things were important to me and no one could tell me that everything was going to be okay. And even if they did, I can’t believe them. There are two things in life that we want to hear as human beings. First of all, that we’re loved; and second of all, that everything is going to be okay.

RHS: Yes.

NV: And the greatest thing that God has given me is His love. To know that He does love me when there are things that happen in my life that I don’t understand, and when things happen in your life and you don’t understand the purpose. The question is this: is God worthy of your thanks? Is God still worthy of your praises? A lot of people say that verse, "The joy of the Lord is my strength." What does that mean? What is your joy? Why can you rejoice always? Because the joy of having Jesus Christ loving me so much that He died for my sin, He’s given me salvation. This life here is temporary, but you know what? I love the fact that that is the greatest joy of all is having Jesus Christ in my life and living the godly purpose He has for me. And I can be thankful. I thank God. I thank God the He said no when I asked Him for arms and legs.

RHS: Did you?

NV: I did. I pleaded with God, "God, give me arms and legs." And I cried myself to sleep at night hoping that when I’d wake up in the morning that I’d have arms and legs. I thought it’d be a great miracle. I mean imagine right now, if God gave me arms and legs, we’re on TV, how many people wouldn’t believe that miracle? But I stand before you today as a miracle of God to prove to everybody a pure example of God’s grace, love and perfection, and to know that I’m the miracle. We are more than conquerors. Circumstances do not have to change for you to become victorious. It’s our heart that needs to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

RHS: Wow. So you wanted to die. But you have such life, such vitality. What happened when you were 15? Tell us about that?

NV: Up until age 15, I went to church all my life. I was okay about the fact that I’m a sinner. I understand that, I know that. I understood that there needed to be in atonement for sin. I understood that and that Jesus Christ and His blood was the atonement for my sin. But what I didn’t understand was that if God loved me and He had a plan for me, I just wanted to have an assurance that He knows what He’s doing with me, because I didn’t see the purpose of this. At age 15, I went to church, read John Chapter 9 where a man was born blind and Jesus was asked why this man was born blind. And Jesus said it was done so that the works of God may be revealed through him.

RHS: Yes.

NV: When I read such a tangible wave of faith and peace came into my life. And that’s when I felt God saying "Nick, everything is going to be okay." And that’s where I decided to let God be God. I said, "Lord, here I am. Use me. Mold me. Make me into the man of God wants me to be." So I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, I asked forgiveness of my sins and I had peace. Every sin of mine, because the Bible says every sin of mine is forgiven when I confess it with my mouth. And then I realized something beautiful. At school so many people would put me down and maybe a lot of people in your life put you down or those negative thoughts saying you’re not good enough. You should never give up. Get a second opinion.

RHS: (LAUGHS)

NV: Get a second opinion. You know what? People might call me names when I was a child. You know what the Word of God says? "I’m a child of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords." That’s who I am. I have a purpose, which is hope, and I see it and I love it. And no one can argue with my smile. No one can argue with my joy. No one can argue with my strength. And you know it’s not my strength. You know that His strength is made perfect in weakness, and that’s why we give all glory to God. Because without this, I couldn’t get through this on my own. It’s only by the grace of God that I’m still here.

RHS: Wow. Thank you very much. Nick Vujicic!

NC: Thank you. Can I have a hug?

RHS: Yes, yes.

NV: Thank you.

RHS: I wish all the people that had heard me try to share this faith for 52 years and in 36 books and almost 2000 telecasts…I wish they could see you, hear you. Then they’d believe that maybe Schuller is telling the truth after all.

NV: Maybe they will see that the promises of God are true.

RHS: They really are. Jeremiah 29:11 is one of my favorite verses. Wow. He said he wanted a hug so I’ll come where you are.

NV: Are we going to stand or we going to sit? How about you stay there, how about you stay because I don’t shake hands, I give people hugs. I’m just going to give you a hug.

RHS: Okay.

NV: All right? I love you. Put your hands around me, man. I love you. Thank you. God bless you. Can I say one more thing?

RHS: Yes.

NV: I just want you to know that that verse in the Bible where it says He makes all things beautiful in His time. You know, I was worried about how I’m going to hold my wife’s hand? I don’t have a wife, but I know that she’s coming. And when we are together, I see that I may not have hands to hold my wife’s hand, but I don’t need hands to hold her heart. And I just want to tell you this beautiful story. You know how I was worried about how I’m going to hug my children when they’re crying? This two-year-old girl came up to me; she wanted to give me a hug. She sees I have no hands to hug. So she put her hands behind her back and she hugged me with her neck.

RHS: Wow.

NV: It was beautiful, so we just know that God is good. God is good.

RHS: Thank you, thank you. Thank you very much.

NV: Praise God.

Td mlm gue baru nengokin bokap temen gue yg terserang stroke ringan. Gile, baru stroke ringan aja dia udh susah minum n badan sebelah kanannya ga bisa di rasain katanya. Bokap temen gue ini padahal dulu pernah jadi sukarelawan kesehatan buat Gereja Katholik, artinya sedikit banyak dia tahu prinsip-prinsip kesehatan, tp kok bisa kena stroke yah?

Yah bisa aja atuh, kan tahu kesehatan belum tentu hidup sehat. Sama kaya kita dalam kehidupan. Kita tahu banyak hal yang benar, tapi kita belum tentu juga hidup benar. Punya banyak pengetahuan memang bagus, tetapi yang lebih bagus tahu sedikit pengetahuan tetapi menjalankannya.

Well, mari kita ingat hal-hal yang baik yang sudah kita tahu: bersyukur, mengasihi, mendoakan, dll. Udh ingat? Mari kita jadikan itu semua menjadi energi positif utk menjalani hari-hari yang penuh dengan macet, becek, banjir, hujan, temen kantor yg menyebalkan dsb. Klo kita bisa menumbuhkan energi yang positif, kita akan mengatasi segala masalah kita dengan cara yang positif juga.

God BLess you all..

Ga banyak ratu dalam Alkitab yg bisa kita sebutin. Sabat lalu gue nonton film One Night With The King.. Film ini nyeritain seorang ratu yang sangat terkenal, Ratu Esther. Banyak bgt hal yg bikin gue tertegun selama nonton film ini. Meskipun ga dipungkiri banyak hal-hal yang ditampilkan ga tertulis di Alkitab, tetapi masih cukup relevan dan bernilai moral sangat tinggi.

Esther dilahrikan dengan nama Hadashah. Pada saat Xerxes, raja Persia, mencari permaisuri baru setelah dia mengusir permaisurinya yang terdahulu, Mordekhai mengganti namanya menjadi Esther yang merupakan nama Babylonia.

Proses yang dijalani Esther untuk menjadi seorang ratu sangat panjang. Proses itu tidak dimulai saat dia dipanggil utusan raja untuk menjalani perawatan tubuh dan kecantikan. Proses ini telah dimulai sejak dia masih kecil.. Ya. sedari kecil ayah dan ibunya telah menanamkan prinsip-prinsip untuk menjadi seorang ratu, yaitu keindahan tabiat, intelektual dan iman kepada Allahnya.

Keindahan tabiat inilah yang membuatnya lebih bersinar dibandingkan kandidat-kandidat ratu yang lainnya. Pada saat kandidat yang lain sibuk memikirkan manicure, pedicure, skin care, hair treatment, dan memilih perhiasan yang akan dipakai, Esther lebih memilih untuk mendalami pustaka dan adat istiadat kerajaan Persia sehingga dia bisa beradaptasi untuk menjadi ratu yang terbaik.

Raja Xerxes memang sangat beruntung mendapatkan seorang seperti Esther yang cerdas, manis budi dan cantik. Tidak salah bila Hegai, sang pengawal raja mengatakan kepada Esther bahwa siapapun yang mendapatkan Esther,"He will be the most fortunate man in the world, and to him the congratulations are due."

Dear girls, the real beauty is not how you look like but how you feel inside. Be like Esther, so the world will be brighter by your love and attitude.. Oh, I wish I’m a king so I could pick someone like her..

God bless you all..

Hi y’all..

Banyak banget hari-hari gue, gue isi dengan keluh kesah dan protes sana sini. Gue protes karena banyak hal. Protes karena masalah di kantor, masalah di gereja, apalagi klo mo protes soal iman dan berkat-berkat Tuhan, wow.. kanyanya gue orang yang paling sering protes sama Tuhan soal yang terakhir ini. Di kantor gue protes karena gue tuh staff accounting, tapi loe bayangin aja kerjaan gue yang udah numpuk melototin angka-angka duit nasabah masih ditambahin lagi sama tugas-tugas marketing. Klo digaji lebih sih mending, lah ini..gaji ga naik2 tapi kerjaan nambah truzzzz…

Di gerja gue protes karena ada beberapa orang yang berlabel "Pendeta" justru membawa perpecahan di jemaat. Ini yang gue ga habis pikir. Dari dulu cita2 gue sebenarnya cuma 2..jadi Pendeta atau jadi Pemusik, tapi gue malah terjerumus dalam lembah ekonomi hahaha.. Kenapa dari dulu gue pengen jadi 2 itu? Karena gue bisa membawa kabar2 baik dengan lebih efektif, membawa kedamaian juga, dan terlebih lagi pasti lebih deket sama Tuhan. Makanya gue kesl banget sama pendeta2 yang buat kisruh ini.. Kemarin ada nasabah, anggota jemaat, yang ga sanggup bayar kreditnya. Kita sih sebenarnya bisa maklumin, dan gue sebagai sesama anggota gereja jg mau bantu, tapi ni pendeta satu malah bikin rese. Pake bilang, "saya juga dulu mantan debt collector jadi saya tau bank itu gimana!!". Busyet, malu banget gue di kantor!!!

Klo soal berkat Tuhan gue protes karena gue ngerasa doa2 gue yang Beliau belum jawab. Padahal doa2 gue menurut gue ga berat2 amat hehehe…

Tapi, gue inget sama seorang yang namanya Nick Vujicic, klo loe ada waktu coba buka aja lifewithoutlimbs.com. Dia adalah orang yang bener2 cacat secara fisik. Ga punya tangan, kakinya cacat, bahkan nyaris ga ada kaki. Tubuhnya pendek bgt. Pokoknya dari segi fisik dia bener-bener kurang. Tapi dia adalah pemiliki 2 gelar kesarjanaan. Dia adalah pembicara yang ulung, dan dia mengabdikan hiupnya untuk memotivasi orang2 yang hidupnya terlalu banyak mengeluh seperti gue. Gila, malu bgt gue sama dia. Gue secara fisik sempurna (yah kecuali tampang emang di bwh standard hehehe…), tapi gue malah membutuhkan motivasi dari orang seperti dia. Hidup itu berharga tergantung dari tujuannya, itu kata Nick, bukan dari kesempurnaan fisik atau bahkan materi yang kita punya.

Di saat gue mengeluh, gue inget bukunya Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life. Katanya kita banyak mengeluh karena kita selalu menggunakan kata "aku" pada setiap pertanyaan kita. "Aku mau jadi apa?", "Aku bisa apa?", "Aku ingin memperoleh apa?". Tapi coba kita ganti kata "aku" dengan "Tuhan". "Tuhan mau aku jadi apa?", "Tuhan bisa melakukan apa buat hidupku?". Klo kita mau menjadikan Tuhan dan melayani Tuhan sebagai alasan utama kita hidup, kita akan hidup tanpa keluh kesah dan banyak protes, karena kita sadar bahwa apapun yang Tuhan taruh dan ijinkan terjadi dalam hidup kita, semuanya dimaksudkan agar kita selalu dekat dengan Dia.

Whenever you are angry with your life ask this question: What is the purpose of my life? And may your answer is: God and GOd alone.