Dare To Be Different: Embracing Individuality in a Conformist World
In a world where conformity is often celebrated and differences are sometimes discouraged, daring to be different can feel like an act of rebellion. Society bombards us with ideals of what is considered "normal"—how to dress, how to speak, how to behave. From a young age, I realized that the path laid out for me by societal norms didn’t resonate with who I was or what I desired for my life. I understood that if I wanted to carve out a life that was uniquely mine, I would have to make decisions that defied the expectations placed upon me, breaking away from social, environmental, and cultural norms.
As I grew into young adulthood, these pressures to conform did not disappear; in fact, they intensified. The world around me seemed intent on molding me into someone I was not, stripping away my uniqueness, my authenticity, and the essence of who I truly am. For a time, I succumbed to these pressures. I tried to be who they wanted me to be, to act and speak as they expected. But this left me feeling empty, unfulfilled, and disconnected from my true self.
Despite this struggle, one thing remained constant throughout my life: a deep, unwavering desire for a relationship with God. Even as a little girl, I yearned for a genuine connection with Him. I decided to serve God and was baptized at a young age, but it wasn’t until my late teens that my commitment to following Jesus fully took root. This commitment is something I am eternally grateful for—loving and serving Jesus has been the most important and fulfilling decision of my life.
For me, embracing my true self means staying firmly rooted in the values and principles that define my covenant relationship with Jesus. I don’t want to live a "best life" in ways that stray from my core values, my best life is living according to the teachings and love of Christ. Pleasing Jesus and reflecting His love and character in my life is my highest goal in life. I OWE JESUS EVERYTHING! When my life’s journey comes to an end, I hope it will stand as a bold testament—a huge exclamation sign that reads, “THANK YOU, JESUS!”
I would be the first to admit that my journey has not been without mistakes. Even after committing my life to Christ, I’ve made choices that I’m not proud of, choices that don’t reflect the person I strive to be. But I’ve learned to embrace every version of myself—whether good, bad, or somewhere in between. I am a complex mix of strengths and weaknesses: introvert, extrovert, quiet, loud, timid, bold, ignorant, intelligent, novice, expert, fearful, faithful, and, above all, JESUS-loving. Now in my fifties, I embrace all of it with both boldness and humility. Every day, I strive to align my "best life" with my "blessed life."
The world often teaches us that to be valuable, we must be flawless—or at least pretend to be. But this is a harmful lie. I reject that notion entirely. I am human, saved by the grace of God, and that means I needed saving—I needed help! And I’m okay with that. Any goodness in me comes from the grace and love of God; nothing I could ever do on my own would be enough. It’s all because of HIM that there is anything good in me, and I am at peace with that. So when I say, “MY HELP COMES FROM THE LORD,” it’s not just a saying—it’s my reality, every single day.
For me, being different isn’t about rebelling against the values of my faith. Rather, it’s about fully understanding and embracing the love of Jesus, knowing who He says I am, and letting that knowledge guide how I see myself and live my life. Sadly, many people misuse the Word of God to manipulate and control others, stifling their growth. This is why it’s so important to know the Word for ourselves, so we can live by it authentically and with purpose.
Throughout history, the true trailblazers—those who have made the most significant and lasting impacts—are the ones who dared to be different. Being different isn’t about defying norms for the sake of defiance; it’s about embracing the unique qualities that make each of us who we are. Our individual differences are not flaws to be hidden but strengths to be celebrated. God created each of us as unique individuals, with our own quirks, strengths, weaknesses, passions, gifts, and destinies.
Imagine if innovators like Steve Jobs or Elon Musk had chosen to conform. Or if visionaries like Martin Luther King Jr. and Marcus Garvey had silenced their voices to fit in. Most importantly, consider where we would be if Jesus had allowed the negativity, rejection, and lies around Him to derail His mission on earth. The world would be a much darker place, devoid of the incredible progress and hope these individuals brought to us.
Embracing our differences requires courage. It demands that we step out of our comfort zones, face the fear of rejection and criticism, and trust that our uniqueness is not a liability but an asset. It means believing that you are not weird—you are worthy, you are enough, you are loved, you are called, you are chosen!
Yes, there are times when conformity, teamwork, and unity are necessary. I deeply value collaboration and community, and our Christian values call us to walk in love and unity. However, there is a significant difference between healthy unity and unhealthy control. True unity fosters growth and positive change for all involved, while control and manipulation stifle growth and suppress individual strengths. Courage helps us discover our true potential, and when we embrace our individuality, we unleash creativity, foster innovation, and inspire others to do the same.
In conclusion, in a world that often tries to suppress individuality, let us partner with Jesus, the architect of our lives, to walk in the fullness of who He created us to be. Let’s embrace our quirks, passions, and perspectives, and create a culture where difference, individuality, and inclusion are not just accepted but cherished, encouraged, and celebrated. To the young and vulnerable, remember this: Your individuality is your greatest asset. Don’t let anyone or anything dim your light. Shine brightly and boldly for Jesus. Pursue your dreams, even if they seem unconventional.
Stand up for what you believe in, even if it means standing alone. Advocate for the underdog, the marginalized, the weak, and the vulnerable. Don’t let the powerful or influential dictate how you treat others. “DO NOT TREAT OTHERS BADLY BECAUSE THEY DO.” Live by the truth of God’s Word in every area of your life—family, marriage, career, community, and the world. Don’t compromise your morals to fit in or gain popularity. Strive to do what is right and pleasing to God, not man. Follow others as they follow Christ, but do not follow when they deviate from His Word.
Instead, endeavor to live by the word of God. Below are a few scriptures that collectively convey that caring for one another is not just a recommendation, but a fundamental expression of living a life that reflects the love, care, mercy, kindness, and teaching of Jesus.
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you”. Philippians 4: 8-9
34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13-34-35
6 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer[a] is overcome by some sin, you who are godly[b] should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.4 Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. 5 For we are each responsible for our own conduct. Galatians 6:2-4
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Colossians 3:12-15
10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 1 Peter 4:10
If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord— and he will repay you! Proverbs 19:17
9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. 10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore, my friends, love like Jesus and see your brothers and sisters in Christ not as competition, but as fellow workers in His kingdom. Don’t deceive or manipulate your way into positions or promotions. Allow the Lord to order your steps and elevate you as He sees fit.
Walk in love, truth, integrity, righteousness, kindness, humility, grace, forgiveness, mercy, and faith. Let us dare to be different with a purpose—not just for the sake of being different. Let’s embrace our uniqueness and encourage others to do the same. By doing so, we can build families, communities, and a world that not only accepts differences but thrives because of them.
God bless you and thank you for reading. If this article has blessed you, please share it with someone who might need to hear this message.
LOVE. PEACE. BLESSINGS.
WAYDIA