“No matter how small you are, a relationship with Jesus will make you BIG.”
All her life, Joice Villamor felt discrimination from the people around her. Born with dwarfism, others tended to see Joice based on her condition, than see her for WHO she really was.
Campus faculty questioned her parents’ decision to enroll her to regular school; they did not think Joice had the capacity to finish her studies. During a job interview, she was questioned about being able to survive doing field work. Because Joice needed to pause and take rests after every step especially when walking long distances, they were worried that she would be bullied and that she would not be able to fulfill the work set out for her to do.
Despite being surrounded by doubt and negativity, Joice remained grounded and unshaken. She clung onto the truth that her parents made her realize at a young age; no matter her mold and stature, she was God’s workmanship and masterpiece, created for a unique purpose to do good works. She focused on God’s character and love for her, looking to Him for sustenance and strength, instead of focusing on how other people saw her and their opinions. By seeking and completely depending on Him, Joice grew up to become courageous, secure, and confident.
“My limitations did not hinder me to go through life and pursue my calling because God’s love makes me BIG even when I am literally small,” Joice claims. Without encouragement, she still took what would be considered big, bold steps for her. She worked for a total of 10 years in various corporations in Metro Manila, where Joice was entrusted with various roles, eventually securing leadership positions. In 2013, she resigned from the corporate world to join Every Nation’s (everynation.org) School of Campus Ministry, devoting her life to full-time ministry to share God’s word.
Joice believes that it is through the grace of God that she was able to face all challenges her way. It is this same grace that allows her to fulfill His calling for His greater glory.
Like Joice, will you also be courageous enough to defy limitations?