One of a Kind

I saw the passing of a famous news reporter become an event covered by all the major news outlets. Her entire professional career was chronicled and displayed for all to see. Her coverage of national and international news became legendary.

Especially remarkable was her assignments to cover no less than 10 United States Presidents. As her fellow journalists gave her accolades, one phrase echoed repeatedly. "She was one of a kind."

So many unique individuals have come and gone in our lifetime: sports figures, actors, politicians, and explorers, some of whom went to the moon and back. They, the most unique and famous, were all called one of a kind.

Through Bible history, we also learn the stories of other very unique individuals. We discover people such as King David. He was a mighty warrior for God who slew Goliath, the giant enemy of God's people. God used David to forge a nation, the people of Israel.

David was a man of great spiritual depth and understanding, yet a man of fiery human passion and fallibility. However, he was a man after God's own heart. He was one of a kind.

Remember the story in the Bible of the woman who brought expensive perfume, her personal fortune, and anointed Jesus by pouring it out over His head? After a disciple chastened her for wasting it all, saying it could have been sold to help the poor, Jesus said that wherever the gospel is preached around the world, her deed would be talked about in her memory. She was one of a kind.

In modern times we have men such as Billy Graham, another one of a kind who brought the gospel of Christ to millions around the world.

Then, of course, there's Lord Jesus who gave up the splendor of heaven and His life there with Father God to come to earth and become one of us, the son of man. He did this to become the legal sacrifice for our sin. He became our kinsman redeemer.

He took our place on the cross and became sin for us, thereby enabling us to become the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV). Yes, Jesus is one of a kind!

Then there's you, dear Reader. Yes, you! God's word says that you are fearfully and wonderfully made, (Psalm 139:14 NIV) formed by Him in your Mother's womb (Job 31:15 NIV). God doesn't love you because of what you do. He loves you because of who you are ... His child.

Your heavenly Father loves you so much in fact that He gave His only begotten Son that you would be saved and have life everlasting (John 3:16 NIV). He did this because He wants you for Himself. Imagine that! He wants you! He loves you so much that He is absorbed with every detail of your life. Even the number of hairs on your head draws His attention (Luke 12:7 NLT).

Why, you may ask, does God love you so much? Why? Because you are His child and are truly one of a kind!

Copyright © Gene Markland, used with permission.