Here is some things to think about from John Ortberg's book "the me I want to be."

"Many approaches to spiritual growth assume that the same methods will produce the same growth in different people - but they don't. Because you have been created by God as a unique person, this plan to grow you will not look the same as his plan to grow someone else. What would grow an orchid would drown a cactus. What would feed a mouse would starve an elephant. All of those entities need light, food, air and water - but in different amounts and conditions. The key is not treating every creature alike; its finding the unique conditions that help each creature grow." ...

"Reality, such as actually having children and becoming quickly aware that every human being is different. If we really want to help someone grow, we will help them in a way that fits their wiring.

Our great model of this is God himself, for he always knows just what a person needs.

He had Abraham take a walk, Elijah take a nap, Joshua take a lap, and Adam take the rap.

He gave Moses a forty-year time out, he gave David a harp and a dance and he gave Paul a pen and a scroll.

He wrestled with Jacob, argued with Job, whispered to Elijah, warned Cain and comforted Hagar.

He gave Aaron and altar, Miriam a song, Gideon a fleece, Peter a name and Elisha a mantle.

Jesus was stern with the rich young ruler, tender with the woman caught in adultery, patient with the disciples, blistering with the scribes, gentle with the children, and gracious with the thief on the cross.

God never grows two people the same way. God is a hand-crafter, not a mass-producer.

Now it is your turn."

I don't know about you but its freeing to think about how God does not expect us all to be the same. He made us unique and he intends for us to have the freedom to take our uniqueness and grow in a relationship with him that does not follow a prescribed formula and there are no pat answers.

Are we really accepting that freedom and enjoying the journey or are we trying to emulate someone else and feeling like we aren't measuring up!

Remember God loves you and has uniquely wired you to be the person he wants you to be and provided a resident spirit to help you. Why not make it a practice to have God remind you of your uniqueness everyday and watch for the ways he messages that idea celebrate and share the joy you find in that experience.

Until next time...