The things that make me different are the things that make me. – A.A. Milne

Recently, I had a blood test done. As the phlebotomist prepared my arm, I noticed she was wearing different colored socks. It may just be me, but I’m cautious about someone who’s about to jab me with a needle. I want to know that they’re competent, so I asked her: Why are you wearing two different colored socks? Her answer made total sense. “I always lose one sock in the dryer, so I never have a match. This way I don’t worry about it.” I appreciated both her sense of humor and her individuality.

Our world loves conformity. In fact, if you don’t conform today, often you’ll be cancelled. Romans 12:2 warns, Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.

God isn’t in the mass production business. Even in the Trinity (the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit), there is individuality. In God’s creation there were two of every kind – male and female. In the Imago Dei of Adam and Eve, there is unique individuality. Adam and Eve were distinctly different. That order of creation has never changed. It’s not the way that God has designed us. In fact, one woman can’t be like another woman and one man can’t be like another man. God has designed us individually. Like anything, individualism often does degenerate into self-centeredness which is wrong, yet God designed us individually and we need to value it. 

Psalms 139:13-15 says, For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret… Each of us has a distinct DNA and fingerprints. Each of us is “one of a kind.” Many a parent in frustration will say to a child, “Why can’t you be more like your brother…or sister?” Because it’s not the way God designed them. We’re all unique, designed that way by our loving Creator.

Individualism is you-ness.

It’s what makes you, you. It’s your personality, character, responses to situations, decisions, all combined into one person, you. It’s what makes you unlike anyone else. Everything that makes you who you are—your biological traits, genetic heritage, ethnic background, place of your birth, upbringing, all the places you’ve been and people you’ve met, the people who’ve impacted your life, your entire life experiences in the order you experienced them. All of these enrich you for your own unique story. It gives you a unique lens through which you see the world, a unique perspective that colors everything you do.

Individualism is necessary for salvation.

I can’t commit my life to Christ for you and you can’t do it for me. Christ-following parents would love to trust Christ for their children. Each of us must come to Christ individually. You may raise your children in a Christian home, but there’s no guarantee that your children will be disciples of Jesus Christ. Commitment to Christ is an individual and personal choice. God doesn’t have any grandchildren. 

Individualism is vital for a healthy Christian life.

Common grace means Christ-followers often enjoy the collective crowd of this world. Frequently, to please God though, they must stand alone. In an increasingly secular culture, we must heed the lesson of Peter’s denial and leave the warmth of the fire (John 18:17-18). Read the pages of Scripture. Many of those God used had to resist the peer pressure of an evil world to stand alone.

Individualism is crucial for our purpose and mission.

Many Christians think evangelism is something preachers like Billy Graham did. Yet, in the Bible we find two forms of evangelism. There is what might be termed as mass evangelism, yet there are also examples of personal or one on one evangelism. Add to that something like 90% of those who make a decision for Christ in a church, or a large crusade were invited by a friend.

Jesus called many of His disciples in a one-on-one setting. It’s usually our individualism that the Lord uses to reach others. We’re a living testimony of what Christ can do in a life. Each Christ-follower has a mission field where God has placed them – family, neighborhood, workplace, etc. They’re living as a Christ-follower is essential for the conversion of lost individuals God has brought into their circle of influence. 

Individualism is necessary for serving the Lord.

Grace Church was first founded in 1955 (we’ll be celebrating our 70^th Anniversary in October). You’ll notice a byproduct of our history if you work in our church’s kitchen. Over the decades assorted silverware and dishes have been purchased or donated. There are many mismatches. Maybe in the future  we’ll resolve it. Yet, as I thought about it, I realized that it’s a picture of our church. Every piece serves a purpose. Each one has a “mission.” In the same way, God has a mission and a place of service for each believer. 

The Bible teaches that we are saved to serve (Ephesians 2:10). Each of us is necessary. Yet like those odd, mismatched pieces, sometimes we feel out of place. For example, you don’t use a pie server every week. You only use it when you’re serving pie. Our God loves to throw banquets. At His table, all of His utensils are sought out and used, especially the ones seemingly overlooked in the back of the drawer. They are used in a glorious gathering of purpose. We are all given an honored place at His table.

Some of us have skills that are consistently useful. We’re frequently sought out for the roles we fill. Others have a unique purpose that no one else can fulfill. All of us though are kept and treasured by the God who designed us to display His glory in a specific and beautiful way. 

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 says, There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. At Grace, we believe every believer here has a purpose and that God has a place of service for them. In fact, a non-serving believer is usually an unhappy one. God designed us to serve and when we don’t, we feel out of sync. So, find where the place is that God has designed you for and help us move forward as a church family to accomplish the mission, He’s called us to. 

This world can be a lonely place, but the community of the church family means that in this stepping out, one is never truly alone. Individualism in a biblical sense is something we do together. As we are united to Christ as individuals, we are united to one another.