You are a unique person.
There is no one else like you on this planet. There is no one else like you in this universe! Even if you happen to be an identical twin, you are unique.
You are unique because you have lived a different life to anyone else. Even your closest siblings and family members have not had the same experiences as you. There is no one else like you.
Chaos theory
There is a branch of science that studies chaos. It considers the nature of uniqueness within a class of things that are all the same.
For example, go out into a forest full of eucalyptus or pine tress. From a distance they all look the same, but when you examine them closely they are all different. Limbs shoot off from different places and at different angles. They have different markings and colourings in their bark or leaves.
So even though they are all the same, each tree is unique because they are both the same and different at the same time.
And what about snowflakes? When they are falling or in heaps upon the ground they all look the same, but individually they are all unique and different.
What this means
This is a wonderful insight because in the same way each of us has unique gifts, talents, and abilities that are unlike anyone else in the world.
Sure, there may be others who are faster, fitter, stronger, or have gifts for music, sport, intellectual pursuits, business, and so on. But no one has the same combination of talents, abilities, and experiences as you. And the combination of your talents, skills, abilities, and experience can enable you to do things that no one else can do, because there is no one else like you.
Expanding the idea of human uniqueness
Think about this for just a minute. Do you have parents? Dumb question, I know. But you are the only child of your parents that has your experience.
Whether you are the only child or one of a number of children you are different from the rest. If you are the third child in the family, then none of your other brothers or sisters is the third child and the experience of a third child is different from a first, second, fourth or so on. You are unique.
Are you married? The experiences you gain in your marriage are unique, even those shared with your partner. Both husband and wife perceive shared experiences differently, so once again you are unique.
Do you have children? If so, then you are the only father or mother to those children, which makes you unique. And the experiences you share with them and go through together are unique to you.
What the Bible says
We are all children of God and we all have unique gifts, talents, and abilities.
But the Bible tells us that God knows who we are down to the minutest detail, as the writer of Hebrews shows.
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are open and laid bare to the eyes of him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews chapter 4 verses 12-13)
Furthermore, Jesus says that even the hairs on our head are all numbered as we are shown in Matthew chapter 10, verse 30.
God knows us as unique individuals. He does not deal with us collectively but as individuals, knowing what our unique attributes, weaknesses, and strengths are and working with us for our good.
Unique is good
So what do you do with this uniqueness? The greatest thing you can do is to employ your unique self to help others understand that they too are unique and have much to offer. But first and foremost it is important that you recognise this special gift you have, this uniqueness, and that you are capable of so much.
You don’t have to compare yourself to anyone else, and indeed comparisons are pointless. They lead only to insecurity and jealousy, neither of which is beneficial.
Instead, embrace the unique nature of the person you are in Christ Jesus and be set free from the bondages of comparisons that others may make. Keep your heart and mind in Jesus Christ and allow Him to work with your unique self as He sees fit, and find the joy of your uniqueness in Him.
Since retiring from work, John Lemmon now spends his time teaching, preaching and writing about the word of God, online and offline, answering God's call on him to “Speak to my people.” You can connect with John on Twitter (@JohnBLemmon) or on his website: freegiftfromgod.com/ or listen to his podcast on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/the-free-gift-from-god-podcast/id1440682375