Articles
Don't Die a Copy
Don’t Die a Copy
John Mason, the founder of New Hampshire, once said, “You were born an original; don’t die a copy.” There is only one you in this world. God made you unique among all His children. David prayed to God, “For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are your works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.” (Psalm 139:13-16). Do you ever find yourself longing to be someone else, not just for shallow reasons like fame, good looks, or prosperity, but even for service in God’s kingdom?
“If only I were more outgoing like brother so and so, God could use me in His service.” “If only I were more of a deep thinker like sister so and so, I’d be more pleasing to God.” “If only I were more physically attractive, I’d be more successful in reaching people with the gospel.” “If only I had a better sense of humor, I’d build stronger relationships in the church.” Don’t waste your life away wishing you were someone else. God made you an original; don’t die a copy and don’t die pining to be a copy. Paul wasn’t Peter, Peter wasn’t Paul, and neither Peter nor Paul were James or John. Yet God used them all in unique ways in His service. “For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot says, ‘Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,’ it is not for this reason any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, ‘Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,’ it is not for this reason any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?” (1 Corinthians 12:14-16).
Rather than being ashamed of our God-given personality, let’s instead ask God, “How can I use my unique personality and abilities for your glory?” God can use the shy and the loud, the introvert and the extrovert, the funny and the serious, the pretty and the plain, the big and the small, the old and the young, the smart and the slow. Whatever your personality, embrace it and hone it; God made you that way. You’re an original; don’t die a copy. “But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.” (1 Corinthians 12:17).
