He Sees Within

He Sees Within

Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!

Psalm 139:14

The word unique isn’t often associated with the Amish. They may be unique from the rest of the world, yes. But unique from each other? No. The Amish dress similarly, follow essentially the same rules, wear the same hairstyles, and order their lives in the same manner. Yet inside—where it counts the most—each person is different. Distinct personalities make a community of similar people. And even as the Amish strive to present themselves in such a way that no one person can claim to be better than another, their individuality is still a reality.

Even those of us who are not Amish often strive to fit in. We may wear certain clothes to gain the approval of others. We may subdue our personalities at times and present ourselves as something we’re not. Yet the God who created us sees us differently. Beneath our outer garments He sees the inward soul of each of us. Behind our facades He sees our uniqueness and our potential: “How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!” (Psalm 139:17-18).

The closer we get to God in our relationship with Him, the easier it is to see our true selves. We might live in a community that places certain expectations on us, but only when we embrace God’s process of molding us into His image can we truly get a glimpse of how our shape, form, and function play a part in His overall plan. To do that, we need to draw near to Him, place ourselves in His hands, and believe the truth of how He sees us—even when to the outside world we appear no different from those around us.

Dear heavenly Father, it fills me with awe that as Creator You decided this world needs me—and what I have to offer. Forgive me for the times I question my form or my talents. Help me to live up to the potential You have placed within me. Amen.