Our hearts cry out for some way to show we’re different, set apart from the crowd. Hairdos reflecting every color of the rainbow. Individualized tattoos. All kinds of piercings and clothing styles. In today’s world there doesn’t seem to be any universally-accepted fashion. Most are seeking uniqueness. We want to be noticed, acknowledged as an individual. We long to hear someone say, “Wow, look at you, you’re special. There’s no one else like you.”
Scientific advancements over the years have proven we’re matchless. We have fingerprints, footprints, voice patterns, among other attributes exclusive to ourselves. Every human who has ever lived was born with DNA unlike any other. We know these things, but what about our souls? The inner person who longs for love, attention, and purpose?
Original works of art are costly. Whether an oil painting, a piece of pottery, handcrafted furniture, or a designer gown, we value what an artist produces. Each is an irreplaceable piece, lovingly and carefully developed with skill and talent. Some are so treasured they’re closely guarded.
Multiple Bible verses reveal we’re all unique creations of God. Let’s take a look at what the Bible says:
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1. Psalm 139:15 – “My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.”
The Amplified Bible translates this as, “My frame was not hidden from You, When I was being formed in secret, And intricately and skillfully formed [As if embroidered with many colors] in the depths of the earth.” Constable’s notes tells us “The ‘depths of the earth’ is a figure of speech for the womb.”
Imagine God guiding a particular sperm to the exact egg He used to create you. He wove you together as a master weaver does a beautiful tapestry. Just as no two handcrafted items are exactly alike, every creation of God is different. Maybe you aren’t satisfied with some of the physical or mental characteristics He gave you. None of us are perfect, but must remember God uses all things for His good purpose. Even our weaknesses.
2. Isaiah 64:8 – “Yet You, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand.”
A potter carefully shapes the piece before him, choosing its purpose and appearance. In the same way, we were uniquely designed for a purpose. Again, you might question why He made you the way He did. The Apostle Paul addressed this in Romans 9:20-21, “But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? ‘Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’”
God is sovereign and all He does is for our ultimate good. Our part is to trust and yield to Him. Our Father wants us to discover and fulfill the purpose designed for our life.
3. Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
We’re God’s workmanship, planned and crafted works of art which can’t be replicated. We like to compare ourselves with others and grade who is best. God only sees children He loves.
Most artists care about every piece of art they craft, though each is different. How much more God loves our individual souls. No one can take your place.
4. Isaiah 44:2, 24 – “This is what the LORD says—He who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you...your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the LORD, the Maker of all things, who stretches out the heavens, who spreads out the earth by myself.”
Our Creator sculpted each of us. The original Hebrew word translated as “formed” means to fashion as a potter molds a lump of clay. You’re a hands-on project who’s loved with an everlasting love.
As His creation, God knows everything about you including your thoughts and the details that make you who you are.
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5. Matthew 10:29-31 – Before sending His disciples out for public ministry, Jesus prepared them for the journey. He taught them not to be afraid of those who could only kill the body, but to trust God who’s the only one with power over the soul. Then He said, “Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. Even all the hairs of your head are numbered. So do not be afraid; you are more valuable than many sparrows”
Our Father knows and cares about all His creation. We could never count how often or when individual sparrows fall to the ground. Most people don’t notice this common bird. Yet, God sees each one. If He’s so aware of this simple creature, how much more is He concerned for people? He knows the number of hairs on every head! A number that changes daily.
You aren’t a face in the crowd. God sees you and knows you better than you know yourself.
6. Isaiah 43:1 – “But now, this is what the LORD says—He who created you, Jacob, He who formed you Israel: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”
Even if a parent has numerous children, she still knows each by name and treasures them. God, our heavenly Father, also calls His children by name. We’re seen and loved as individuals.
7. Psalm 139:2-4 – King David of Old Testament times understood how well God knew him when he wrote, “You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue You, LORD, know it completely.”
This is true of all God’s children. We’re never out of His sight or separated from His care. He knows each individual more intimately than we can imagine.
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8. Jeremiah 1:5 – “The word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.’”
God revealed to the ancient prophet, Jeremiah, that he was chosen before he was born to serve his Creator. He still had the freedom to obey or to say no, but no one else could do the job exactly as Jeremiah was created to perform. God has a purpose for all His children.
9. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 – The Apostle Paul revealed that God has uniquely gifted each one who believes in Jesus, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”
God never planned to have cookie-cutter servants. We’re individually equipped to serve God in a way only we can. We may have similar jobs or roles, but we fill that task in a way designed for us.
Though we often make copies of an artist’s masterpiece, you and I can’t be copied. We’re one and only originals. Isn’t that one reason we grieve so deeply when a loved one dies? They’re irreplaceable.
The omnipotent God who knows when sparrows fall and calls the stars by name (Psalm 147:4), knows you intimately. He thought of you, created you, and loves you fully.
Everyone is a gift. If only we could see this about ourselves. We’re each incomparable, have our own special abilities to offer, are beautiful in our own way, and have a contribution only we can make.
Lord, help us not to waste time worrying about how we compare to others but freely share the light You have placed in each of us. Open our eyes to see each person we meet as a one-of-a-kind treasure.
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Susan Aken writes devotions and articles for Wholly Loved Ministries, is an Oklahoma native who’s lived in Nebraska since 1987 and has been in public education for over thirty years. She and her husband have one son and a wonderful daughter-in-law. Besides writing she has a passion for special needs and prayer ministries. She enjoys time with family, reading, photography, movies, walking in nature, and a nice cup of tea. She believes life is a journey and we’re all in different places. Jesus is everything to her and it’s all about grace. Visit her at susanaken53.wordpress.com or on Facebook.
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