By Chol Peter Majoh
To begin with, your biological and spiritual existence is a sure fact: you aren’t worthless.
And by the way, let me tell you: if you don’t know that, it’s easy for someone to demean, use, or even disrespect you. Self-esteem and love are way more embracing, for without them, as a young man, an adult, or a child, you may end up being used for a purpose you weren’t created for.
I have seen young people who, instead of giving protection to the nation’s sovereignty, accepted being used for other people’s personal protection at their own expense. Imagine! In the end, people who used you give you no respect because they know you don’t even know how much worth you have. After all, they think they have cheated nobody, see!
I have a friend who serves as a bodyguard for one VIP in Juba. This young man has never seen his wife since the birth of their first kid in 2019. He doesn’t find time. The Boss does not want him to go because he’s his trusted guard, imagine! One funny thing about his boss is that, at times, he brings in his wives, and this guy just stays outside to give them protection. The Boss’s wife has two kids that he gave birth to between 2019 and 2024. What I don’t know is actually what the boss thinks about this young man. Doesn’t he think he has feelings too? Okay, feelings aside! Does the boss know this guy wants kids as he wants them? Anyway, this is why it’s reasonable to know one’s price. If there’s someone you think is more important than you, then you, too, are. Yes, I mean, you are important.
Do not underestimate yourself, and never do that for someone else too, for anyone living under this sun, regardless of his or her financial, social, military, or etc. status, is important and has a reason for his or her existence.
It’s true these days people respect people for money. Don’t be deceived; your worthiness has no connection with money. Money is just a visitor; it comes and goes, but dignity and worthiness remain. People who do not know about this are often dynamic; they change like chameleons. When they get money, they turn, and when this money returns to where it comes from, they again change into different people. They just disguise themselves based on their financial condition. However, real people remain intact no matter what. They aren’t seasonal, for they know who and what they are. Their life never changes like a cloud.
Renowned Greek philosopher, Aristotle, once said, “We [humans] are what we repeatedly do.” In a bit different way, I would say we are what we repeatedly think, because what we do is often a result of what we think. When you think you are useless, you become useless. Everything is a mindset. So, when you set your mind to believing that you aren’t useful, believe me, you will lose that will to fight, pursue, or struggle for all it requires you to become the better version of yourself.
What makes you think you are worthless? Poverty? Do you feel like you’re left out amongst your peers? Or what is that making you believe you aren’t worthy enough? Well, whatever it is, I tell you, you aren’t that. I mean, you aren’t useless. You have a purpose. You have a reason you are created for. You didn’t apply for existence, right? That means the one who made you and who is still keeping you alive has something to do with you.
I have someone called Nick Vujicic. Vujicic was born with tetra-amelia syndrome, a rare disorder that prevented him from growing limbs (arms or legs). As he was growing up, Nick faced bullying, self-doubt, and depression. He attempted suicide at age 10. At age 15, he read from the Bible (John 9) and understood from the story of a man who was born blind that no condition befalls a human being without God’s purpose for it. When asked about the blind man, “Jesus answered, ‘Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.”
John 9:3 KJV. This convinced Nick that he has a purpose for his condition. Vujicic studied and became an international speaker. Today, he is delivering motivational speeches across the world. He also founded the non-profit organization “Life Without Limbs” to campaign against bullying.
Nevertheless, Vujicic married Kanae Miyahara, and they have two sons and twin daughters: Kiyoshi, Dejan, Olivia, and Ellie. Aside from public speaking, Nick is a talented typist. He can type up to 45 words per minute using his “heel and toe” method. He can also play drum pedals, throw tennis balls, comb his hair, brush his teeth, answer the phone, and shave. He enjoys swimming, golf, and skydiving.
Despite his condition, Vujicic’s message is that no matter your circumstance, you can overcome. He encourages people to follow their dreams and compare their suffering to God’s love and grace.
Nick’s story is a motivation to us no matter how piercing the condition may be. People are different, but that doesn’t mean one is more important than the other. We are equal. Let me tell you what I read this morning on Facebook about the power of uniqueness. A thoughtful mind took an axe and a razor blade to his brain and thought about them. He understands the sizes of these two. Regardless of the sizes, he came up with the understanding that “The razor blade is sharp but can’t cut a tree, and the axe can’t cut hair.” ~ Anonymous. This is absolutely true, and it applies in our lives too. Everyone is important according to their unique purpose. So, it’s important to know how important one is. Never look down on anyone. More importantly, never look down on your own self. If you still think you’re useless in this life, you’re extremely wrong. Your existence isn’t by accident.
There’s a reason, a purpose, for which God fertilized that egg that became you. Discover this purpose and you will live a life of no regret. I repeat, you are not useless, and you will never be, unless you don’t want to be useful.
Life is beautiful when lived with a defined purpose. Just know you aren’t useless. You serve a purpose, and so, it’s the reason behind your countless breaths. As you live, you are of great use to the people around you and the entire world. Never feel as if you are nothing; you aren’t. Be a charitable person who lives, pities, loves, and speaks peace to the heart of men in deep anguish, pain, and sorrow. console them, put a smile on their faces, and make a difference. It’s not money that produces purpose; it’s trying to live as a human being with a pure heart of humanity.
God bless you.
The author is a preacher of hope and a writer.