I don't think any would argue John the Baptist was a unique character. But is it not so with all whom God uses; are they not all unusual in some respect? Is there not a strong spirit of individualism among each of them? The only mark of being "same alikes" (my daughter Charity's term when a child), was and is in their Christ-likeness in spirit.
Consider these five things about individualism.
1. The world and religion attempts to pressure each of us into a mold of uniformity to their standards. It has been this way from the caveman to contemporary man. As Emerson said, "Conformity is the virtue most in demand in society." Every effort is made to intimidate individuality; repression of expression, as one has so quaintly put it.
2. If you cherish your God given distinctiveness, then as Oswald Chambers says, "Allow God to be as original with others as He is with you." Think, if everyone was like you, then you'd lose your own identifying traits. You'd be just a carbon-copy Christian.
3. When Paul admonishes, "Follow me," he refers to principle. Speaking of Titus, he says, "walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps? Elisha had the same spirit as Elijah, but physically and temperamentally, they were worlds apart.
4. Christianity is unquestionably a religion of individualism. For example, we do not all pray alike. Some kneel, others sit, still others lie prostrate. Then there are those who stand, while many walk to and fro. We do not all kneel on a prayer rug praying toward Mecca five times a day.
5. Last and most importantly, meditate on Christ and His disciples. As strong a personality and as influential as our Lord was, He made sure each of His followers remained his or her own man or woman. They didn't become someone else, but for the first time in their lives, became who they really were, both in their own eyes as well as in their Maker's.
George H. Morrison said, "There are hands which can wield no sword, but which can carry a cup of water beautifully. There is something thou canst do in thine own way. Do that, and do it with all thine heart, and perchance thou shalt do more than thou hast dreamed."
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