Epiphanies. Unannounced, these singular moments open life with explosive understanding. The funny thing is, these new insights come when we’re just living life, doing ordinary things. They can entice us away from our routine ways, reminding us that there is more to grasp, if we’re willing to see.

Epiphany 3:  Unique

“Nobody else gets to be me. No one else will be me if I’m not.”

These ideas get me out of bed in the morning. They pull me to participate in life, not just look on. For some people, they may seem weakly obvious. But they remind me of the epiphany that I am irreplaceable. While I share all kinds of commonalities with family members or other women, I have no clone. If I don’t live my life, no one else will do it for me.

Sometimes I mistakenly judge my life based on what I’ll call “world impact.” Have I written a book? Blogged for thousands? Taught large crowds of people? Created or reinvented something useful for ministry? If not, then maybe my life isn’t so important.

That’s a lie of a devilish kind.

According to 1 Peter 2:5, each of us is a “living stone” being fitted together into a spiritual, communal house of redeemed priests. (This means we’re being chiseled into the form that will display our true, spiritual identity.) Individually and together, we offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. This means I am essential. Not simply for my own life, but for the place I have in God’s family and work. No matter if my part is public and weighty or private and seemingly only influencing a few, I am irreplaceable.

“Present yourselves as building stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life, in which you’ll serve as holy priests offering Christ-approved lives up to God.” (1 Peter 2:5 MSG)

For Reflection:

• How do you respond to these statements?
  Nobody else gets to be me.
  No one else will be me if I’m not.
• Do you sense your connection with other living stones? Is there some way in which you’d like this to change?
• In what ways is God “dressing” you as a stone, not leaving you as a piece of raw rock?