We are all originals, with no copies made. Being an original means "arising or proceeding independently of anything else." Each of us were made individually with different gifting's for a specific reason.
"Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people!" 1 Cor 12:7 msg
On one hand there are people who feel as though, unless they dress a certain way, write songs a certain way, teach a certain way, or act a certain way, or have certain gifting's, they won't be validated for who they are. They have dreams and plans, but are too afraid to live them out the way they were created to because of the fear of man's opinion. They look at the lives of people who have successfully carved out paths similar to what their own hearts want, deciding they need to duplicate the exact steps that were taken, instead letting God tailor their own.
"If Ear said, 'I'm not beautiful like Eye, limpid and expressive; I don't deserve a place on the head,' would you want to remove it from the body? If the body was all eye, how could it hear? If all ear, how could it smell? As it is, we see that God has carefully placed each part of the body right where he wanted it." 1 Cor 12:16-18 msg
On the other hand, there are people who think that everyone else needs to be like them in order for the world to go round. They have the secret formula to their own destiny.....and yours too! (note the sarcasm) If you dress like them, talk like them, think like them, have their gifting's, and follow their steps, there will be this amazing end result! One big, walking talking "THEM"!
"But I also want you to think about how this keeps your significance from getting blown up into self-importance. For no matter how significant you are, it is only because of what you are a part of. An enormous eye or a gigantic hand wouldn't be a body, but a monster." 1 Cor 12:19
It's so true. A gigantic eye or a gigantic hand would look like a monster. And that's usually what's created when people aren't allowed to be themselves.
Don't try to be exactly like someone else. Don't try to make someone be exactly like you. Wherever you are in life, whatever you do, just be yourself. The world (and God) needs a "you" because they have no one else to fit your shoes.
"You are Christ's body-that's who you are! You must never forget this. Only as you accept your part of that body does your 'part' mean anything." 1 Cor. 12:27
