“So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs” (1 Peter 5:6, MSG).

     What has four legs, no stomach, and eats shrimp on the barbie? Give up? The Australian Platypus. The platypus is one of the world’s strangest animals. Though it is classified as a mammal, the platypus has features of birds and reptiles.

     Like birds, the platypus boasts a duck-like bill, webbed feet, and lay eggs. Similar to reptiles, the platypus lays leathery eggs and the spurs on the back of its feet produce venom. Unlike mammals, however, the platypus bears no teeth, nor does it have a true stomach. The platypus is a unique example of God’s creation.

     So are you. God made you to be an original, not a copy. Aside from identical twins, no one else has your fingerprint, footprint, or voiceprint.

     Yet many of us work hard to mask our unique nature. We fear that our distinctiveness will lead us toward feeling ostracized. We minimize our differences in order to fit in with the crowd. We conform to someone else’s expectations so that we will feel accepted.

     However, Peter encouraged the members of his local church to be content with who they are. By embracing our unique qualities, we can create a life that feels authentic and fulfilling. Being our own person doesn’t mean we should completely ignore societal norms or expectations, but it does mean being true to our authentic selves.

     Being uniquely yourself may involve pursuing your passions and interests, even if they differ from what others expect of you. It may also involve standing up for your beliefs and values, even if they aren’t popular. More often than not, being the exception can lead toward an exceptional life.