“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:13-14
You and I are handcrafted by God. Some five years ago, I used to wonder if I was made by accident. The reason for this was because I did not fit in with popular groups in school. I felt like an outcast.
“He looks too weak to be my friend.”
“He looks too short to be my friend.”
“He looks too different to be my friend.”
The judgement from others hindered my confidence. My young mind thought being popular or not would determine my significance to society. I did not feel special in the eyes of those around me. That was up until I found my purpose; I found what made me, me.
I’d been on the gymnastics team since I was in grade one, but I’d done nothing truly significant at the time. To me, gymnastics was just an extracurricular activity that my mom forced me to join. As time went on, though, I started to get better at gymnastics, and I began to do things others on my team couldn’t normally do. I found out that my body moved differently than others. I felt as if I could move my body through space.
I learned to utilize the skills I nurtured in a way that motivated others around me. I told myself, “I am different, and I am proud.” What made me special was a mere talent; this brought me to the conclusion that everyone has a special skill or talent they’ve yet to discover. With that knowledge, I wanted to inspire the people around me. And so, I became a coach on my gymnastics team.
Whether we fit in or stand out does not determine if we are special. God made us in His perfect image. We are already special to Him. I learned this because I did what God made me for. We are all made differently in God’s design for different roles in this world. Instead of trying to fit in, stand out! Embrace your talents. Even if you think you have no talents, I assure you that you have a special gift hidden inside you. God is waiting for you to be the person you need to be for you to open the gift that was made specifically for you. You and I are made in God’s image.
Moises M., grade 12
This article is shared with permission from “Faith Walk” a daily devotional of inspiring reflections from the students and faculty of Deer Lake School in Burnaby, BC Support this special project and benefit from a fresh spiritual resources by purchasing a copy here
