Benescke Janse van Rensburg
Humor is certainly one of Craig Dietz's biggest assets in life. If asked today what his hobbies are, he would say swimming, hunting, fishing, skiing, volleyball and playing drums. What is remarkable, however, is that Dietz was born without arms or legs. This did not stop him.
During last week Dietz, who is currently visiting South Africa, took part in the Midmar Mile in KwaZulu-Natal. When speaking to the patients in the neuro and spinal rehabilitation center of Medi Clinic Muelmed this week, he said that he does not see himself as a disabled person. "You have to define your own potential and challenge yourself every day." With this mindset, Dietz not only completed a mile last week, but swam seven miles during the Midmar Mile in benefit of a non-profit organization.
When asked who supported him, Dietz said his family is his greatest asset. They never focused on his shortcomings, but rather encouraged him to do everything himself. He even drives a vehicle. With his first car (of course adjusted to make driving possible for him), he mounted a license plate that said: "Look Mom, no hands!" As a family, humor got them through every season of his life.
In our own lives, challenges in the form of a disability, a poor background, a divorce, an abortion, a criminal record, bitterness or even wrong decisions in the past that hurt others, can become a crutch. While leaning against it or hiding behind it, we are robbed from a life in abundance. That is where the enemy wants to keep us.
I AM, however, is gracious. If we truly repent of wrong decisions and turn away from wrong ways, He heals and restore our lives. In John 10:10 Jesus said: "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." In Isaiah 44:22, I AM says: "I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you." And in Jeremiah 29:11, He reminds us: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you. . . thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and hope."
No obstacle or challenge is ever too big that I AM cannot turn it into your biggest testimony to encourage others finding themselves in a similar situation. He loves us and cares for us. He wants to see us happy. Let us learn from Craig Dietz's philosophy and find our identity in the One who made us, rather than in what we have achieved or what has hurt us. God bless.
Father God, thank you that I do not have to live in fear of what could potentially go wrong or how bad things could potentially turn out because you already know the future. Help me to put my faith and trust in you. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
• See a picture of Craig Dietz at www.benescke.co.za or online on the social network, Facebook's page, Stories van hoop.
• ASSIGNMENT: Be honest with yourself; is there something you hide behind that you do not discuss with God? Talk to him and give it over so that you can have a life in abundance.
• FEEDBACK: Please send your feedback, testimonies of God's goodness or questions on the topic to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Benescke