Why Believe in God and Jesus - INCREDIBLE PEOPLE!
This is a common question in our society and culture, but I would suggest the better question is; “How can you not believe?” We are totally surrounded by God’s magnificence and incredible wonders. I think there are at least three key examples that surround us every day and in everything we do; People, Nature, and His Miracles. The first incredible wonder is this – People who have succeeded in spite of incredible disabilities and challenges.
We all know the stories of Hellen Keller, Ludwig van Beethoven, Stephen Hawking, President Franklin Roosevelt and others. There are many other incredible people. Their stories of success defy what most people would feel is possible to achieve, due to their afflictions. Here are four incredible examples depicted on the television show AGT (America’s Got Talent.) But there are many more in life, surrounding us every day. Credits to AGT and YouTube for the videos:
1. AGT discovery Kodi Lee. Kodi Taehyun Lee is a Korean American singer-songwriter and pianist. The incredible wonder is that Kodi is blind and autistic. He rose to fame after participating in, and ultimately winning, the 14th season of America's Got Talent. In 2019, Lee auditioned for AGT, and within weeks his performance had over 50 million views on the internet. Click this link to see an example of Kodi’s work.
2. AGT discovery Josh Blue. Josh Blue is an American comedian. He was voted the Last Comic Standing on NBC's reality show Last Comic Standing during its fourth season, which aired May–August 2006. Blue has cerebral palsy, and much of his self-deprecating humor is centered on this. Click this link to see an example of Josh Blue’s work.
3. AGT discovery Brian King Joseph. Brian King Joseph is an electric violinist from Season 13 of America's Got Talent. He finished the competition in 3rd place. A self-taught and self-produced Master of his own craft, Brian composes and produces all of his music independently. The amazing thing about Brian, is that he suffers from a degenerative condition called neuropathy, a sensory nerve disease that causes tingling in the feet and hands and eventually prevents the nerves from working. Click this link to see an example of Brian King Joseph’s work.
4. AGT discovery Nightbirde (Jane Kristen Marczewski). Nightbirde lost her four-year battle with cancer in February 2022 at age 31. She became an instant sensation when she auditioned in 2021 with her original song “It’s Okay,” earning Simon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer in the process. “It’s important that everyone knows I’m so much more than the bad things that happened to me,” she declared at her audition. Nightbirde withdrew from the show when her cancer returned, but the judges later checked in with her live via Zoom. Click this link to see an example of Nightbirde’s work. Pay special attention to what Jane says after Simon gave his initial review – IT’S A MESSAGE WE ALL SHOULD LIVE BY!!!
RIP Jane – God has called you home to bring your heartfelt music to heaven!!!
God gave all of these people the ability, the will, and the drive to achieve well past their limitations. While every example does not turn out positive in the end, like Nightbirdes', each of these four people, and many many more, achieve far more than society and our culture ever dreamed possible.
I have to believe that these people are examples of God’s love and grace lifting them up to be a shining example of the realm of possibility He has given us all!
The Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:8 says: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Never give up on, or judge a person’s capabilities. God has something in mind for each of us - every creation of His. Sit back and enjoy these incredible people. Look around you because I’m sure there are people, just like these four, who are being blessed by God, and whom you encounter each and every day!!!
