Australian native Nick Vujicic understands a magnificent truth: We do not find our value in our capabilities. Born without arms or legs, Nick has learned not merely to cope with his challenges, but to permit God to use them for unimaginable good. He says, “God has given me the strength to surmount what others might call impossible.” As Nick likes to say, “God can use a life without limbs to show the world how to live a life without limits.”
The word invalid has at times been used to describe people who lack certain abilities most others enjoy. It’s an ugly label that has no business being used to describe any human being—all made in God’s image.
We can avoid such an unhelpful mindset if we adopt the perspective of the apostle Paul, who said, “We have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view” (2 Corinthians 5:16). Why? Because “Christ’s love controls us” (2 Corinthians 5:14).
Paul continues, “Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life” (2 Corinthians 5:14). That’s a pretty inclusive statement, but Paul was writing to fellow believers in Jesus. He wanted everyone to experience this joy.
“Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person,” Paul wrote. “[God] brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him” (2 Corinthians 5:17-18).
Nick Vujicic’s passion fits perfectly with Paul’s. Nick says, “My greatest joy . . . is to introduce Jesus to those I meet.”
Our value comes from God in whose image we all have been created. Each one of us is most emphatically valid! As we serve Christ, we find purpose, meaning, and infinite value regardless of our capabilities.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 16:5-33
More:
Read 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 and see the encouragement it provides to deal with the infirmities of our human bodies.
Next:
What causes you to “label” people? What do those labels say about you? How does God view you and others?
Gary Shultz on September 18, 2016 at 6:46 am
Hi Tim, this is a particularly difficult subject at least for part of it. Categorization of people is a very sensitive thing. People have corrected me as time has past, oh, you don’t call it this you call it that. Well I didn’t mean to be insensitive, but for some reason the former title has been considered less than adequate. Maybe it was not the best; however, a times some descriptive language is helpful at both ends. So, no one uses the word fornication any more, idolatry, and on the list could go. Society has deemed those titles degrading. ….The young man you mention is a particularly inspiring individual. In this part I will agree wholeheartedly each person is a unique individual, each person has potential, purpose, and great value in Christ. In spiritual weight all is equal at the cross, all have great purpose. On the physical side, how do we prepare with care and sensitivity? Thanks Tim, this is one for a long dialogue.
hsnpoor on September 18, 2016 at 1:40 pm
Gary, I’m thinking it’s not so much the actual descriptors we use, but rather the source and intent behind them. We must use words to communicate and what I’m getting from Tim is that they should be inspired & informed with God’s viewpoint in mind, in making our word choices. One of the worst things that has happened in our country in recent years is this obsession with supposedly sanitizing our language with “politically-correct” speech. I have to believe that this is an idea whose origin can be found in the pit of hell. The political arena in this country is by far and with little argument the most corrupt, dirty, low down and least respected institution functioning in our society. And we are going to use this arena to define right speech?!!! I don’t think so, but it is an obvious result of what happens when we lose sight, reverence and respect for a Holy & Righteous God. I’m often accused of using politically-incorrect speech to which I almost always respond with an appreciative “Thank You”.
tim gustafson on September 19, 2016 at 6:39 am
Kim, you are a breath of fresh air!
tim gustafson on September 19, 2016 at 6:37 am
Hi, Gary, apologies for the late reply. I’ve been on a retreat. I think at some point I’m going to write a column called, “You Got to Call it Something.” 🙂 I do think we all resent categorization and being labeled. It tends to detract from our God-given uniqueness. But at some point labels are useful. Language evolves, and political correctness distorts, so we will always have the challenge of communicating in ways that are graciously forceful. Or gracious AND forceful. Like Jesus did. Love your comment that all is equal at the cross.
hsnpoor on September 19, 2016 at 9:19 pm
Amen!
Tom Felten on September 18, 2016 at 8:52 am
Tim, it’s a frustrating reality that we tend to label people. May God give us eyes of grace that see them as He does! And may we also drink deep of that grace as we view our own brokenness and shortcomings in light of our (as believers in Jesus) being “new creations” in which He who began a good work in us and is faithful to complete it. As we see ourselves more through God’s eyes, we’ll be able to be less critical of others and less likely to label them.
minkjh on September 18, 2016 at 2:52 pm
Excellent point. Tom. As believers we need to be cognizant that our thoughts, words, and deeds reflect the fragrance of the righteousness of Christ, lest the world view us as hypocrites. It hearkens back to a phrase rarely voiced anymore- “There but for the grace of God go I.” In a spirit of reconciliation we should strive for restoration and not estrangement.
tim gustafson on September 19, 2016 at 6:42 am
Yes minkjh, and I would add that I need to be the one willing to apologize first when I am not reflecting the fragrance and righteousness of Christ — which is often.
Gary Shultz on September 18, 2016 at 5:14 pm
Nice response Kim. I would expect nothing less from you.