Hey yall!
Quick update from Cambodia. My team and I are in Sihanoukville, a coastal town with beautiful beaches. We are partnered with YWAM Youth Development Center. So far we have taught English, led worship, and given mini-sermons. We will be doing more of the same, plus possibly some street evangelism. I’m a bit nervous about preaching in church, but also excited—prayers appreciated 🙂
My first talk was based off Psalm 139:13-16 and 1 Corinthians 12:14-26. Notice how God hand-designed and hand-crafted each and every one of us. Notice how our uniqueness are not just good, but essential. Think of how dysfunctional the world would be if everyone were an eye, or if everyone were a large intestine. All parts are needed. Everyone has a part to play, and without even one person, everything falls apart. Try removing your liver and seeing how well you do without it!
Yet we’re always so consumed with fitting the mold. Am I skinny enough? Is my hair straight enough? Does my make-up look good? Is my laugh too loud? Does everyone think my jokes are funny? Am I outgoing enough? Am I spiritual enough? Jenna’s prayers are better than mine. John has more Scripture memorized than I do. Jeff is a bigger servant than I am.
I played that game. I still play it sometimes, but I’m slowly getting out of the game. People who love me have pointed out the unique strengths *I* have to offer. Someone may (or may not) be more advanced at prayer than I am, but I may be more advanced at studying the Bible. Instead of comparing ourselves, we can learn from each other. I can enjoy her gifting instead of having to compete with her gifting.
And even if I’m the worst at everything—the worst at praying, the worst at witnessing, the worst at serving—I still have a 100% A++ in God’s gradebook, and that’s the only gradebook that matters (2 Corinthians 5:21).
There’s so much more to be said on the topic, but hopefully I’ve gotten some wheels turning.
Celebrate your uniqueness.
Who told you that different is bad?
