Be You

by Shelly Erickson

A few weeks ago, Greg and I spent time in Waco, Texas. We have always enjoyed Joanna and Chip Gaines’ "Fixer Upper" television show and thought it would be fun to visit and experience the silos and Magnolia Market. While enjoying the silos and taking in all the beautiful sites Waco has to offer, we also discovered another gem, Spice World. Spice World is located in a huge old train depot re-purposed for Texas artisans to be able to sell their creations.

Being there felt like we were on a treasure hunt - searching through each artisan’s creative displays looking for hidden treasures. In our search, we came across this print.

Artwork and print credit: #inthelandofelsewhere

I was so drawn to it - the message and the whimsical artistic expression.

In a society focused on mass production, measurable outputs, norms, standardized tests, etc. it was wonderful to be reminded that different is good. That we have a God who is the ultimate CREATOR. The God who intentionally created us in our own unique way - to be different from each other yet made in His divine image.

It is crazy to think that out of all the people in the world (past and present) there is no other person on the face of the earth who is the same as you. You might look like someone else, you might talk like someone else, you might even be a twin. Even as a twin God has created you to be solely you! Your DNA is different and your fingerprints are yours only. So why do we struggle with being different when we were created to be unique - each with our own God-given gifts?

The world misses out if you and I continually compare ourselves to others and try to be like someone else. God has called us to be different, to stand against the grain, and to be the change for a world that is in desperate need of hope.

So. Be you.

Keep becoming who God created you to be.

And then, love others enough to help them become who God created them to be. 

We're all different. But there's really something kind of fantastic about it, isn't there?

-- Shelly

Shelly Erickson
Spiritual Director