One of the mindsets causing soul-clutter is the idea we must fit in with the world around us.
It’s an impossible goal. I’ve been trying to achieve my goal of appearing normal ever since I was a little girl. I’ve failed miserably at it. Patsy Clairmont wrote a whole book entitled Normal is just a setting on your dryer, and I agree with her. Who determines what is normal anyway?
No Cookie Cutter Christians
God is not in the business of creating cookie-cutter works of art. Just the fact that each and everyone of us have a distinctive fingerprint ought to convince us He wants variety.
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Ephesians 2:10 NLT
We are masterpieces, not copies, each with a destiny planned by Him before we were born.
One Body Made Up of Unique Individuals
A great illustration of this concept is the idea that we are one body with many different parts. We cannot all be the head or the foot. A creature with ten heads would be scary! Each part has an important function; and the body would be less if that part did not exist. If you don’t believe it, just injure your toe. You cannot walk perfectly without it.
Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?
But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body.
1 Corinthians 12:14-20 NLT
Each part is needed
Please take the time to study all the twelfth chapter of 1st Corinthians. You will see that each of God’s children are meant to be unique and to work together.
I’m so glad to know I’m meant to be different, and God has a place for me and my giftings, just as He has a place for you as well. You can depend on Him to lead you where you need to be. He’s the Good Shepherd!
Hey! I’m on a journey. I don’t pretend I’m doing all this perfectly. I’m sharing the goals and dreams I have in my heart in this series, “A Rich and Satisfying Life.” This is my seventeenth post of examining a life free from the clutter of both wrong thoughts, attitudes, expectations, and too-full calendars, as well as physical clutter. You can click here to see all the links to the series.
This series is part of a Write28Days challenge sponsored by Anita Ojeda. The challenge is now over, but I am still working at the goal of writing 28 times on my subject.
All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.
I’m linking this post to Grace and Truth, Inspire Me Monday, Tell His Story, InstaEncouragement Link-Ups, Let’s Have Coffee, Recharge Wednesday, #Tune In Thursday, Grace at Home
Beautiful Jerralea, and I commend you for sticking with your writing goal! I have never felt normal either, only I worked hard NOT to be! Just a little rebellious.
But I praise God He intended we would each be unique, and when we focus on being “just like” someone else, we dishonor his purpose!
So true, Donna, if we were all alike we wouldn’t be fulfilling His purpose for us. Thanks for your input.
Jerralea, I love, “We are masterpieces, not copies, each with a destiny planned by Him before we were born”. So encouraging, thank you.
Right! Why would a God who make each snowflake different want His people to all be the same?
Thanks for visiting, Deborah!
Jerralea, I have never felt normal or that I fit in, if I may be honest 🙂 Some days it is easier to accept than other days. As the years go by, I have come to accept there is only One with whom I will truly feel normal and accepted, and it is what keeps me focused 🙂
Joanne, so glad I’m not the only one that felt that way!
I love your post. Such a valuable concept to teach our children …n to keep in mind ourselves!
Yes! Each of us is special and needed!
Thanks for the visit!
I’m SO thankful that God made us unique! It brings such liveliness and fun and creativity into our days when we’re around others who are different than us (granted, I can also get annoyed by the differences, lol–but even that is reason to grow).
Yes! think how boring it would be if we were all alike!
What a wonderful illustration and fantastic message. I’m known for saying— Normal Is Boring. And I’m far from normal.
Visiting today from Let’s Have Coffee #20
I am far from normal, too. In fact, I may be getting further away than when I first started! Now, I just celebrate it.
Thanks for visiting, Paula.
I’m so thankful that God makes us unique masterpieces to bring Himself glory. No cookie cutter pieces from God! Ha! I’m so glad you are persevering with the 28-Day Writing challenge, Jerralea, it’s amazing how it strengthens our writing muscles. Woohoo!
Thank you, Lisa. It’s kind of aggravating to be in May still doing something I should have finished in February; but I will look at it as strenthening my perseverance muscles.
God’s creativity is everywhere! We are examples, too, of his sense of humor.
Michele, this is all too true. I wonder if He smiles at our antics sometimes?
Jerralea, when I was growing up, I wanted to fit in so badly but never really felt like I did. Somewhere along the way, I started to accept that I was fine just the way God made me and that not fitting in was OK too. Now I kind of enjoy being a non-conformist, to tell you the truth! I’m so glad God has a unique place and job for each of us, whether we fit in or not.
Love this! He has a place for us whether we fit in or not. Thanks, Lois!
Thanks so much for this post! I am grateful that we’re all unique; diversity makes our world a much brighter place. And in working to become more like Christ, we can be transformed into his likeness while maintaining the unique gifts we’ve been given.
Thanks so much for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. I’m featuring you this week!
Richella, thank you so much. I love your fantastic link-up, Grace at Home! I found it through our dear friend, Linda Stoll.