Dare To Be Different

I watched the movie – The Greatest Showman – and it completely pulled on my heartstrings. It was a powerful movie that made me realize that there is power in being different and that we are all called to shine individually! Without giving too much away for those of you who would still like to watch it, what stood out as the main theme in this movie is that one man named, PT Barnum (Hugh Jackman) was able to transform the lives of a bunch of people who were kept hidden due to being deemed as “freaks” and “outcasts” by society.  He was able to pull out their potential and uniqueness to a point where they felt that their lives mattered and counted for something and they came to the realisation that they were impacting the world around them with happiness and laughter.

I gaze around and it is easy to see how many people allow their lives to be dictated by social norms and what society deems to be cool and hip. We often find ourselves transitioning with culture instead of being brave enough to be different. We so desperately crave the approval and validation from others that we begin to echo society instead of embracing our own uniqueness and who God created us to be. The funny thing is that we reside in a world where fitting in is a necessity and if you do not fit in you are labelled by society as an “outcast”, “freak” or “weird”, to name just a few.

Looking back on my own life I have also been a victim of this stinking thinking. In the past I often found myself morphing into whatever society determined to be “cool”. I was so afraid of not fitting in that I recall the days where I followed fashion trends very closely and even if it was not my style I would find myself gravitating towards them. Another clear memory was when I left work to pursue Gods call, initially, I felt worthless, unfulfilled and ashamed, as having a job is what gave my life validation and meaning.

Now here is something to ponder… According to the current statistics, there are currently 7.7 billion people in this world. Now that is a significant amount of people and yet each of these 7.7 billion people has a unique genetic makeup and thumbprint. We have really been created as one of a kind, as not one person is identical to another, not even identical twins for that matter. This uniqueness, just confirms how MAJESTIC AND MAGNIFICENTLY BIG OUR GOD IS but it also shows that He strategically created each of us differently with a divine purpose.

The meaning of “unique”, according to the Merriam Webster online dictionary reads as follows:

1: being the only one

2: being without a like or equal

3: unusual

The below two bible verses that, I truly love, also emphasise our uniqueness and the great purpose that God has for our lives:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

“You formed my innermost being, shaping my delicate inside and my intricate outside, and wove them all together in my mother’s womb. I thank you, God, for making me so mysteriously complex! Everything you do is marvellously breathtaking. It simply amazes me to think about it! How thoroughly you know me, Lord!

Psalms 139:13-14 TPT

I can, therefore, say without a shadow of a doubt that we were created uniquely by an AWESOME God. You are not called to look like your neighbour or friend or for that matter anyone else around you. You are called to be an ORIGINAL, you are truly one of a kind like this songs says by Danniebelle Hall – Designer’s Original.

Society determines the trends but we as Christ-followers are called to be influencers and nation changes. We need to begin to influence and impact society in a powerful way that transforms the world around us, rather than us conforming to it.

We are like an authentic painting, only one of a kind. In the art realm this is to be admired but somehow according to our humanist way of thinking, being different is a flaw. We clearly need to change our thinking and I want to assure you today that the master artist Jesus put you together perfectly and He is a proud father that looks upon His work and admires its beauty! You are truly magnificent.. you need to allow this to take root in you ❤️.  Jesus wants us to fully embrace who He has created us to be with all our flaws and differences.

So I have a challenge for you today: DARE TO BE DIFFERENT, embrace your uniqueness and use it for the glory of God.