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.

Over a decade ago, a lovely young lady came into the church where I was ministering. I commented on how unique her style and how beautifully her obviously new clothes looked on her. She shrugged off the compliment by saying, “Well you know me. I just want to be unique like everyone else.” Her statement has stuck with me all these years because that really is how many people think. We want to stand out, but not too far. We want to catch people’s attention, but not to the point that it invites criticism or pressure to perform. The truth is that you are unique. You are uniquely designed by the Father to stand out and fulfill a great purpose here on earth. It is not something you buy, something you wear, a tattoo you have imprinted on your body, or even the job you fill. Your uniqueness is you. It is how God made you and it is His purpose for your life

Uniqueness denotes beauty. God lovingly designed your life to display a unique aspect of His own beauty. Beauty itself is an allusive term because what one culture or time calls beauty may not be the same in another time or place. However, God is an eternal God and the beauty He has shone upon your life will bring glory and honor to Him in every place and time

Uniqueness denotes value. There is not another one like you in the world. You can be imitated but never replaced. The rarer an item is, the greater potential for its value to increase. A painting by Pablo Picasso recently sold for over 106 million dollars. What makes his painting more expensive than the ones hanging in your local Super 8 motel room? It definitely has to do with the artist but also it has to do with the uniqueness of the art. There are 7 billion humans on earth and yet the greatest artist, your Heavenly Father, has crafted you and made you priceless.

Uniqueness denotes your purpose. The reason that there is not another one like you is because God has a specific work that only you are designed to do. There are problems in the world that God uniquely designed you to fix with His empowerment. You do not have to try to imitate someone else’s work or someone else’s style. God has gifted you with a desire and a unique design to fulfill His purpose here on earth. As you submit your life to Him, His purpose shines brighter and brighter through you.

Today’s Challenge: Refuse to curse your uniqueness and instead submit all of your unique qualities to the Lord. The One who formed you also fit you into the place where you will bring honor to Him, and so you will sense His fulfillment in your life. Prayerfully listen and obey as He leads you deeper into a life that is pleasing to Him.