One of my favorite things to do is think with God. I like to ponder different things and listen for the interjections of the Holy Spirit. Late one night I was doing just this and thinking about our identity as believers in Jesus. There are many scriptures stating who we are in Christ. It is so beautiful and affirming. We are new creations (2 Cor. 5:17). We are children of God (John 1:12, Eph. 1:5). We are citizens of Heaven (Phil. 3:20) just to name a few!

The scripture also states that we are not all the same. We are one body but different parts (1 Cor. 12:12-27). On this night I was pondering that part of our identity. The part that is different. I’ve been in a season of identifying what makes each person uniquely them. I started with myself, of course, since I am the easiest person for me to observe and collect data on. (smile) 

Anyhow, I did what most Christians would do and asked God what makes me uniquely me. Then I also did some things like taking personality tests, such as the Myers-Briggs personality test. Suddenly, so many things about my life made sense when I read about my particular personality type!

After reading up on myself I went to my family and had everyone take the tests. I began to look at our family dynamics and gained an understanding of how and why we related the way we do to each other. Now I know some people may not think that this has anything to do with God and that we shouldn’t put ourselves in a box. I do agree with not putting ourselves in a box but for me, this was a way to study our uniqueness with God. It helped me to understand others better and to communicate better with them. It has also helped me to embrace my uniqueness even more.

One of the things I’ve experienced in my life is the division of being different. What makes each of us different is often used to bring division. However, it is the intention of God, who created each of us to be different, that this would actually be used to bring unity.

“If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” (1Cor. 12:17-21)

I think 1 Cor. 12:17-21 is pretty clear regarding being different but in unity. We need each other’s different personalities. We need each person’s gift and skill set. Our differences are meant to bring unity.

What one of us lacks another may have. We need to stop comparing ourselves and allowing differences to become a divider. We have all heard before that we should value what makes each person different but today I feel to encourage each one of us to value and embrace what makes us unique.

What did God put in you that you get to bring to the body? What makes you uniquely you? Just as scripture says to love your neighbor as yourself, embrace your uniqueness so you can embrace others. Learn your identity in Christ and what makes you UNIQUELY YOU!

Written by: Liz Livingston

Published on: 11/14/2017