Saturday, April 2, 2011

Book Review: Life Without Limits: Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life, By Nick Vujicic


We’ve all heard the saying, “God doesn’t make junk.”  Nick Vujicic is a living example of this truth in his book “Life Without Limits.”

Born into this world with no arms or legs, Nick tells the story of defying all the odds against a full and satisfying life that lay before him.  With the help of a large family and circle of friends who saw beyond his physical limitations and encouraged him to be what others said he could never be, Nick charged forward with gusto into the life God had given him.

The challenges Nick faced often threatened to overcome and defeat him.  But as each obstacle reared up before him, Nick found a way over, under, or through it.  He recognized that, in spite of not having limbs, God had given him other attributes to help him succeed.  His determination, a winning smile and sense of humor, and a heart of compassion filled with a desire to help others overshadowed his disabilities.   But it was and remains his faith in a God Who is incapable of making mistakes and has a purpose for each of His children that propelled Nick to success.

Nick reminds us that there is nothing we cannot do as long as we trust our Creator.  As he poignantly demonstrates throughout the book, if God had given him the limbs of an ordinary man, his testimony wouldn’t be valid, and his work to glorify God would have less of an impact.  His story is also a reminder that every life has importance and value to the world and a purpose for being.

Although the reader may find himself doing so, Life Without Limbs should never be read with sympathy over Nick’s plight.  Although he went through times of self-pity, despair, and hopelessness, Nick took the negative aspects of his life and turned them into positives.  The book should be viewed as an example that physical or emotional disabilities can be overcome by fostering a healthy attitude, surrounding yourself with others of like-mind, and using the gifts God has given us for His purpose and glory.  Nick encourages his readers to bravely face their challenges and meet them head-on with determination and faith.

By soaring above what is perceived by others as a limited life, Nick inspires his readers to take wing and join him in showing the world that our successes are only limited by our misconceptions of whom and what we are.  After all, what we may see as a mistake or “junk,” God sees as perfection. 

One day, God will give Nick the arms and legs he can now only dream about.  But until then, Nick is using what He has given Him, and using it well.


(Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. Please visit their website and rank my review. Thank you!)

1 comment:

Karie said...

Sounds like a wonderful book Karen. It's true that we often need correction in how we see ourselves, the Lord has given each of us what we need to succeed in becoming what he desires. I find myself praying for greater and stronger faith lately, and just this weekend my determination to jump into life with a desire to lose myself in the service of others and my God was renewed. Thanks for your encouragement.