‘As the deer pants for streams of water so my soul pants for you, O God’. (Psalm 42:1)‘Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvellous—how well I know it.’ (Psalm 139:14 NLT)
Have you ever seen photographs of models or famous people in magazines looking beautiful or handsome and thought if only I could look like that? Then a little while later your illusions are shattered when you discover that the photos have been doctored to make them appear to be more photogenic.
The image that we have been looking at, and maybe desiring to be like, is nothing but an illusion. It wasn’t the real person being projected; certainly they looked beautiful or handsome, but it wasn’t really them at all. An image has been created to help sell some perfume, promote a film or simply put the person in a better light.
When we look at other people, it’s tempting to think that they are somehow more ideal than we are.
Someone always looks better than we do. There is always someone who is more successful in their career, or who seems to be more talented or gifted than we are.
We always come across those who seemingly have perfect marriages, who appear to be excellent parents and whose children are well-behaved geniuses.
Looking around at other people can be quite discouraging and depressing as it deflates our ego.
I don’t think that’s how God wants us to be.
He doesn’t want us to be looking around at how he has made other people, or at what image they project, rather he wants us to look at how he has made us with our own unique gifts.
After telling us that we are each ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’ (NIV)
the Psalmist describes how we were known by God before we were born, that he formed us in the womb and has mapped out all the days of our life (v.15-16).
He concludes by saying, ‘How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!’ (v.17-18)
God has made you and me unique with specific gifts and specific purposes and treasures thoughts about you and me in his heart.
The problem arises when we want another person’s role. We want to look like that person, be like that person, and do what that person does.
Yet when God created you he wasn’t interested in producing another version of someone he had already created. He wanted the authentic, unique you.
So don’t aim to be a copy simply trying to imitate others. Be the authentic you.
Why not take some time to think about the unique gifts and talents you have and give thanks to God for the masterpiece he has created.
Prayer
Father, thank you for making me who I am; precious and unique in your sight. Help me to live in that understanding to your glory.
Amen.
Have a good week being you.
