“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” (2 Timothy 4:2)
“You should never miss an opportunity to act upon your faith or beliefs because you could be the last person to influence someone, to give him courage, or to inspire him. None of us know when our own time will come to move from this life to the next.” Wrote limbless Australian-evangelist Nick Vujicic, 30, in his latest book-release Unstoppable.
In the first chapter, Vujicic encouraged readers to apply their faith in life. He shared of an experience that he had in Chile in September 2011. In an interview with a high-profile talk show host, he was given time to share his faith, but the first encounter with the hosts turned out to be the last.
Vujicic was invited to speak at Buenos Dias a Todos, a talk show that has been receiving the highest rating in Chile, hosted by Felipe Camiroaga and Katherine Salosny. During the interview, Camiroaga was thought of as merely a celebrity, but he asked Vujicic serious questions about spiritual matters, which surprised him.
Addressing Camiroaga’s questions, Vujicic answered that it required faith to come to know God. For faith is the act of believing in something of which there is no physical proof. “Jesus is path to heaven and eternal life.” He confessed to the talk show hosts that he is a greedy person: ninety years on this earth is not long enough for him; he wants to live forever in heaven.
“But there is one thing better than going to heaven and that is to encourage at least one other person to with me,” he said. “That is why I have strength. I keep a pair of shoes in my closet because I believe in miracles, but there is no greater miracle than seeing someone come to God. So pray for faith, and God will help you one day at a time.”
Touched by his words, Camiroaga had tears welling up in his eyes. Salosny also listened carefully. Their responses motivated Vujicic to continue sharing his beliefs. What surprised him is that no one cut him off during the interview, and they even played his entire latest music video release.
At the end of the show, Vujicic prayed for the talk show hosts and for the viewer. The show, which was supposed to end in 20 minutes, lasted for 40 minutes. He thought that it has to be somebody he knows who is controlling the audio video controls.
It turned out that the show’s director was a strong Christian and a big fan of Vujicic, and he’d told his crew to just keep rolling. The director was in tears afterward, and he thanked him warmly, and said that they’ve never had such a positive immediate feedback of calls, thanking the television station for letting him share his story.
On his way back to the hotel, Vujicic heard the bad news about Camiroaga’s plane crash accident, where all the passengers were killed. It was a bittersweet feeling for him, for he looked forward to discussing with Camiroaga about his faith in greater depth someday, but he will not have that opportunity. Yet the sweetness lies in the fact that he did not miss the most important opportunity with him. He acted upon his faith by proclaiming it and sharing his beliefs with him when he inquired. He did not hesitate.
During his interview, the 30-year-old evangelist had a feeling that Camiroaga was really touched by his sharing. Moreover, the kind of questions he asked and the way he looked showed that he is seeking a spiritual life.
Vujicic was called by the talk show director to return to the television set after the accident to pray for Camiroaga and the other victims. He found out that it is true that the Chile’s most high-profile bachelor – a man whose love life had long been the subject of much interests in the media – was actually seeking God and has been thinking about faith for a very long time. Even the director had a spiritual conversation with him before. Camiroaga’s heart was really open to the gospel though he had not been baptized yet.
After this divine opportunity in Chile, Vujicic thanked God for using him in such a way to influence the lives of many. He admitted that he was not always strong that he has occasional doubts, and sometimes he is confused. But to embrace the journey and believe you are not alone through it is what he tries to inspire in others.
At the end of the chapter, Vujicic wrote that he has no regrets about opening up and proclaiming his faith. He encourages the readers that in whatever purpose you hope to serve, you should do the same. When you put your faith and beliefs into action, you will discover the life for which you were created.
[Editor's note: Angie Hung contributed to the report.]
