Which aspects do you think makes a person unique?
First Reaction
My first reaction to today’s prompt transports my mind to the Christian biblical text and I believe part of the Jewish Tanakh or Hebrew Bible.
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Psalms 139:14 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.139.14.NIV
Word nerd that I am requires me to use an online lexicon to see what this psalmist (poet) understood by the words “fearfully” and “wonderfully.” The root word for fearfully can mean afraid, but that didn’t seem to apply here. It also means “awesome.” I’m awesomely made? What makes me awesome?
We are “wonderfully” made. This poet understood this to mean “purposefully” made. Distinguishable from another could also be what the word means. What makes me stand out from another? We are made for a unique purpose.
Not defined by feature, character, or ability
For this writer our uniqueness cannot be found in a physical feature or personal characteristic or talent. Family members often share many of these aspects with us. Even strangers share aspects of character, physique, and talents with us.
Even some of our experiences and how we react and respond to those are like some others and even shared by others. The similarity in reaction is how we’re able to diagnose, counsel, and advise others. We share similar personality traits with millions of people. So, apparently these “aspects” do not really make us unique.
Unique Aspect
So, how are we fearfully and wonderfully made? I’m such a word nerd that I googled “aspect.” I was reminded that, just like so many English words, aspect has multiple meanings. The meaning that provides a better answer to the question is probably not feature or part, or even characteristic.
In architecture and astrology, I found “aspect” to mean a relationship of one thing to another. Google dictionary states the following:
2. the positioning of a building or thing in a specified direction.
“a greenhouse with a southern aspect”
3. (of a planet) form an aspect with (another celestial body).”
“the sun is superbly aspected by your ruler Mars on the 19th”
That aspect of “aspect” aspects more closely to aspects that make us unique, I believe. Sorry, I got caught up in playing with the word “aspect” which ignited these thoughts.
Maybe our uniqueness comes from how we relate to something or someone else. I suggest we might be purposely made as it relates to the Maker’s purpose for our lives.
What aspects make a person unique?
I will finally conclude by answering the question. The aspect that makes us unique is God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will for our lives. Seek to find how your uniqueness aligns with God’s will and you find the necessary love, joy, peace, strength, kindness, goodness, loyalty, gentleness, and self-control to thrive, not merely survive.
I believe this because it’s working for me and I’m not yet 100%, 24/7 invested – still transforming by renewing my mind, my consciousness.
Categories: Purpose Self-worth Through Work Spiritual Awareness True Inner Peace
Douglas Knight
I have the rich life full of a sinner wounded by misunderstanding and punishment but blessed by mercy and forgiveness.
Knight Writer 