You’re Unique – Just Like Everyone Else

By Doug Franklin December 4, 2013

There are many dramas on T.V. today that focus on police and lab technicians solving crimes through science.  The bad guys always seem to leave evidence behind that links them to the crime.  The crucial piece of evidence could be a fingerprint, shoe print, tire track, hair fiber, paint chip, or DNA sample.  In less than 60 minutes, crime scene investigators solve complex cases through thorough and tedious analysis.  Of course, in real life the work takes much longer and the outcome is far less certain.

We know the drill.  A crime is committed and police respond to the emergency.  They preserve the crime scene and call in a special police unit.  These highly trained experts collect specimens and conduct tests to identify characteristics to link a suspect to the crime scene.  The final step is for the investigator to testify in court and prove that the damaging evidence is unique to the defendant and could come from no one else.

Uniqueness is a powerful concept.  Because of the countless genes in the cell nucleus of each parent, the probability of two individuals inheriting identical characteristics is almost zero.  You are the only you on the planet.  You truly are an original – one of a kind.

Uniqueness is true and timeless.  It is important in our everyday lives and will become increasing significant in the years ahead.

A single snowflake is made up of as many as 100 ice crystals in an infinite variety of intricate, beautiful patterns.  No two snowflakes are exactly alike.  Like a snowflake, you are unique.  There is no one like you in the world. In fact, there has never been anyone like you since the world was created.  Furthermore, there will never be a person exactly like you in whatever time remains for this planet.  You are unique!

Scientists have learned that the size, shape and structure of snowflakes vary with three factors:  temperature, humidity and the amount of available water vapor.  Similarly there are three factors that God has used throughout your life to forge your uniqueness: your life experiences, individual design and personal vision.

God has been at work in your life since you were born.  He allowed you to go through various life experiences in order to mold and shape your character.  God used these life experiences as “sand paper” to smooth out the rough edges and to “chisel” away the imperfections.  His primary goal is to refine you into a perfect reflection of His Son, Jesus Christ.  Although some life experiences were painful, God wove them into the fabric of your life to produce a tapestry of personal strengths.  He wants you to use these strengths to serve others on His behalf.

Before the foundations of the world, God looked across the mist of time, and saw YOU.  His design for you is a perfect match for the work He created you to do.  When He fashioned you in your mother’s womb, He gave you the equipment you need to accomplish the specific work He created you to do.  He gave you core values, unique abilities, spiritual gifts, burdens, passions and vision.  You were designed for a purpose.  You are “fearfully and wonderfully made” by a gracious and loving Father.  There are no accidents or mistakes in your design.

Finally, God embedded within your mind a picture of how the world will be a little bit better because you walked this earth.  This vision is like a magnet pulling you forward and driving you toward fulfilling your destiny.  This vision within you may not yet be fully developed, but over time it will become clearer in all its dazzling color and majestic beauty.  You need to develop a specific strategy to make this vision a reality.  Of course, there are no guarantees that you will see your vision unfold in your lifetime; but if you can plant the seed, God will raise someone else up to water it.  Someday a brother or sister yet unborn may have the joy of seeing the vision reach full maturity.

The true power of uniqueness is that no one else can do what God has called you to do.  The Church and the world will be better off if you answer the call, and worse for the wear if you ignore it.   Imagine the joy that will well up in your heart when one day you stand before the Lord in heaven and hear Him say to you, “nice work – faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21).

“Image courtesy By Victor Habbick/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net”.