What is it that Jonathan, Joseph, Josiah and Timothy understood? These young teens decided to be different. *

Instead of conforming to the world around them, instead of repeating the sinful patterns present in their families, instead of going along with the crowd that defied God — they stood up and declared, “I will be different.”

This is exactly what Jesus offers you as a young person. Romans 12:2 says that you have a choice. You can be “conformed” to this world or you can be “transformed” by God into something individual, unique and wonderful.

Many Christians think that the Bible offers us a cookie cutter faith. That every believer has to look the same, act the same and do the same work.

Nothing could be further from the truth. If you read the rest of Romans 12, you’ll discover that God has given each and every one of His children a unique package of spiritual gifts. These are abilities supernaturally empowered by the Holy Spirit that allow you to serve others in the church.

Psalms 139:14 says that each person was “fearfully and wonderfully” made. You are unique. You’re special. You’re important to God. He has given you a precise package of gifts and talents that make you one of a kind.

The world wants you to pursue conformity — sameness. When you do this — you deny God the opportunity to shape your life in a unique and powerful way.

Questions: Am I trying to be myself or am I trying to be like someone else? Why do others pressure me to be like them? What does this pressure make me do?

 

*This article was originally written/published by the author under the title “Be a Snowflake.”