KID CONNECTION: TOTALLY TEASING

Hey...it's Mr.B...I recently watched a television show that told the story of Nick Vujicic. I was familiar with Nick's story but it made me think "I can only imagine how much this guy was teased as a kid". If you are not familiar with Nick's story he was born with no arms AND no legs. I was teased alot as a kid and I bet a lot of you get teased...and sometimes we tease others too...

I want to take a moment this week to share a little of Nick's story and then I want to give you some examples from the Bible for you to think about. Teasing hurts. It hurts us when someone teases us, and it hurts others when we tease them. A little about Nick...

Imagine being born without arms. No arms to wrap around a friend ; no hands to hold the ones you love; no fingers to experience touch ; no way to lift or carry things. How much more difficult would life be if you were living without arms and hands? Or what about legs? Imagine if instead of no arms, you had no legs. No ability to dance, walk, run, or even stand. Now put both of those scenarios together… no arms and no legs. What would you do? How would that affect your everyday life?

His parents wondered how would their son live a normal happy life? What could he ever do or become when living with such a massive disability? Little did they or anyone else know that this beautiful limbless baby would one day be someone who would inspire and motivate people from all walks of life. God uses Nick to touch lives and bring the hope of Jesus Christ to people across the globe.

Throughout his childhood, Nick dealt not only with the typical challenges of school and being a kid such as bullying and self-esteem issues; but also struggled with depression and loneliness.  He constantly questioned why he was different than all the other kids surrounding him; why he was the one born without arms and legs. He wondered what the purpose behind his life was, or if he even had a purpose. According to Nick, the victory over his struggles throughout his journey, as well as the strength and passion he has for life can be credited to his faith in God. His family, friends and the many people he has encountered along the way have also encouraged him.

By the age of 19, Nick started to fulfill his dream of being able to encourage other people and bring them the gospel of Jesus through motivational speaking and sharing his testimony about how God changed his life and gave him a future and a hope. “I found the purpose of my existence, and also the purpose of my circumstance. There’s a purpose for why you’re in the fire.” Nick wholeheartedly believes that there is a purpose in each of the struggles we each encounter in our lives, and that our attitude towards those struggles, along with our faith and trust in the Lord can be the keys to overcoming the challenges we face.

Now at 28 years old, this limbless young man has accomplished more than most people accomplish in a lifetime. Nick recently made the massive move from Brisbane, Australia to California, USA, where he is the President of LifeWithout Limbs. Since his first speaking engagement back when he was 19, Nick has traveled around the world, sharing his story with millions of people, speaking to a range of different groups such as students, teachers, youth, businessmen and women, entrepreneurs, and church congregations of all sizes.  He has also told his story and been interviewed on various televised programs worldwide. “If God can use a man without arms and legs to be His hands and feet, then He will certainly use any willing heart!” When asked why he does it Nick replied: 

 "If just one more person finds eternal life in Jesus Christ....it is all worth it". 

Wow...what an incredible story...when people told Nick he looked funny, was different, wasn't cool, and never would amount to anything what did he do? Give up? Tease back? Quit? Agree with them? NO WAY! Nick used the special gifts God gave him to help spread the gospel across the world! Maybe someone is teasing you now by saying things about you that is not true and spreading rumors. It's easy to want to do the same to them isn't it? We automatically want to fight back to make them feel hurt or embarrassed too. The Bible tells us in Romans 12:21 "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good". Hmmm...what doe that mean? Well if someone is teasing you that does not mean they are evil, but how we can use this verse? Let's insert the word "teasing" where "evil" is in the verse and see what happens:

"Do not be overcome by teasing, but overcome teasing with good"...hey now that is starting to make sense...I know it will be hard (and you will have to keep practicing it) but the next time someone teases you, say something NICE or KIND back to them...WHAT? YOU WANT ME TO BE NICE TO THEM? Yes. Think about this...when Jesus was dieing on the Cross for us, many people were mocking (or teasing) him. Jesus did not say anything bad back to them and he did not quit. Yes Jesus was perfect, but we are called to be like Jesus - to be the Body of Christ, so if we remember to say something nice to someone when they tease us and ask them nicely to please not tease I bet the teasing will stop soon. And I bet the kid's teasing you begin thinking inside themselves that you really are pretty cool and it's not right to tease. Even if they don't change or stop, hey remember you control your own actions and you can respond just like them, or with kindness.

When I think about teasing and the Bible I think of some of the following people:

Moses had a speech problem and was afraid to speak to people...and God used his brother Aaron to help Moses tell the people what needed to be heard...

You have heard the story of David and the giant right? David then just a small boy with a slingshot tells the giant he will fight him and the giant laughed and teased him...and God used David and his slingshot to bring down the mighty giant...

What about Saul? After Jesus spoke to Saul on the road to Damascus and opened his eyes to the truth, Saul now Paul went on to be the greatest missionary of all time. But people at first did not think Saul/Paul had changed and told everyone what Saul had done in the past...and God showed He can use anyone to spread the gospel.. 

MoRe To ThInK AbOuT....

It is easy to bring someone down (say bad things about them or tease them), but it is really cool when you build someone up (say nice things about them). Try building someone up the next time you are teased and remember it will take practice!

HeY...OnE MoRe ThInG...

Remember Nick's story..no matter what we go through in life, we all have a purpose. Never quit, never give up. Teasing can hurt, it's not funny, and can have a great impact on someone. Use the opportunity to show kindness when you are being teased, be like Jesus! Nick is an awesome example!