How do you feel when you hear the word different?
Does it make you feel cool, unique, one-of-a-kind? Or does it make you feel like an outcast, lonely and forgotten? Being different can be hard, no matter what stage of life you’re in. Nick Vujicic knows more about being different than most people ever will. In his White Chair Film, Nick gives us a glimpse into his life as a limbless man.
In the film, Nick says, “I knew I had no arms and legs, but I didn’t think it was such a big deal until the world told me that I was an alien, that I was ugly, that I wasn’t good enough.”
Ugh…That hits me right in my heart.
We all have things that make us different and unique, and we don’t think of those traits negatively until someone points them out as such.
It’s a shame because, over time, I’ve learned that what makes us different is oftentimes what God wants to use in our lives. Because God doesn’t make mistakes. He didn’t forget to give Nick Vujicic arms and legs – his design was intentional. He has a great purpose for creating Nick the way he did, but the world wants to twist God’s perfect design.
For instance, Nick was made fun of and made to feel worthless. He felt like he didn’t have a purpose on earth. He felt like he was a mistake and had no future. What made him different made him ostracized. He prayed and prayed for a miracle until one day, he decided to be a miracle. He chose to go out into t he world and give hope to the heartbroken. I won’t tell you everything that happened (no film spoilers here!), but I will say that Nick allowed God to use him and what makes him different to have a positive impact on the world.
So what makes you different? Is it a physical attribute, like Nick? Maybe it’s where you grew up or if you were raised by a single parent. Perhaps you have less money than your friends or maybe you have more. If you don’t already know (which you probably do), take the time to think about what makes you different and then think about how you can use those differences to improve the world around you. Go volunteer with kids growing up in the same atmosphere you did – encourage them and show them that they have hope and a future. Donate your time or resources to provide for people who may have it worse than you.
Embrace your differences, be proud of them and watch the ripple effect it creates on those around you. Because you are a powerful tool in the hands of God, but you have to be willing to be used.
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