A youth pastor who was born with no arms is sharing how embracing God made his life complete despite his disability.
Pastor Daniel Ritchie's book, "My Affliction for His Glory: Living Out Your Identity With Christ," recounts his young life as a bullied child who was always told he wouldn't amount to anything because he had no arms. He says doctors even suggested abortion to his parents because he wouldn't be able to live fully, but they chose life for their son.
Faced with a lot of adversity, Ritchie used his condition to find his purpose. Despite receiving rejections and being told "no" or "never" countless times, Ritchie details in the book how he overcame his circumstances, especially when people regarded him with little value.
"Adversity can lead to doubt at the deepest levels," the pastor shared. "Comparing ourselves to others who (seem or pretend to) have it 'all together,' can lead us to wonder 'what's wrong with me?'"
Ritchie, however, wasn't always optimistic about his future until he found God at age 15 and realized that his life was a gift, despite his physical shortcomings. His devotion to God fueled his desire to find his identity and make the most of what he had to glorify Him.
The pastor, now in his 30s, has gotten married and became a father. He's also an in demand inspirational speaker to young students.
Ritchie has also conquered Crossfit training and mastered the bow and arrow as a fun sports activity. He also drives a bus full of students to school using his feet on the wheel and the gas pedal.
The pastor is aware that people might have questions about how he manages and copes with his disability, so the book provides insights to his Christ-centered life.
"He is an incredible man of faith," an associate pastor said of Ritchie, according to the Charlotte Observer. "[He] challenged our young people to have a better outlook on life by seeing that all things are possible with Christ."
