May 9, 2006

One-of-a-Kind

The art exhibition was a smashing success. 

Hundreds of people visited the gallery to “ooow” and “ahhh” over the exquisite pottery on display.  They did more than admire the artistry, however.  Many collectors came searching for distinctive pieces to add to their art collection.  The buzz of the show swirled around one piece in particular.  An unusual teapot by artist Steve Hansen.  The teapot looked like it was fashioned from rusted license plates with a wooden stick for a handle.  Yet it was made entirely of clay.  Its imaginative design and singular style stole the show.  The teapot sold almost immediately.  And that’s where the trouble began. 

One collector after another fell in love with the unique teapot and wanted to buy it.  Word began to spread through the art community via the internet.  Soon other collectors went to the gallery website to view a picture of the teapot for themselves.  The gallery owner received many offers to buy the piece but could accept none of them.  The teapot was a one-of-a-kind original and it was already sold.  

Three determined collectors decided on a different strategy.  Contacting the gallery owner, each asked if the artist would be willing to make an exact duplicate of the teapot just for them.  They would be willing to pay full price, of course, if only the artist would agree.    

Now most businessmen would view this offer as a great opportunity.  It’s easy money.   No need for the artist to sit around the studio trying to dream up a new design.  The hard work is already done.  Just copy the original design three times and reap the profits.  But artists often see things differently.  Like many in his profession, Steve doesn’t like to replicate existing pieces.  It’s unexciting.  It’s monotonous.  It’s drudgery. 

Artists like variety.  The more, the better.  About the only thing an artist dislikes is sameness.

For that reason, Steve nearly said no.  But the passion of the collectors and the enthusiasm of the gallery owner encouraged him.  So he agreed—under one condition.  He would make three more teapots, but not as exact duplicates.  They would look very similar to the original, but each would have subtle alterations.  Perhaps a slight color change or tweak in the handle design.  Maybe a tiny twist of the spout or a little reshaping of the lid.  Small changes that would make each piece unique.  Changes that would satisfy the artists desire for creativity yet give buyers the teapot they desired.

Such changes are not unusual.  Not with professional artists and certainly not with God.  He is an artist who enjoys variety in his creations as well.  And sometimes, that’s where the trouble begins.

Have you ever noticed how few people are truly satisfied being who they were created to be?  Each of us has something we wish we could change about ourselves.  We wish we had curly hair or straight.  A smaller nose or a chiseled chin.  Darker eyes or larger lips.  Longer legs or shorter arms.  A smaller waist or broader shoulders.  The list is endless.  Mostly we want to look like someone else.  Someone famous or someone we admire.  We seek a kind of sameness that conforms to society’s standards.  But that isn’t the way God made us. 

Like any great artist, God loves variety.  So he made you unique.  To look different and be different than anyone else.  You’re a one-of-a-kind original.  No one has ever been created just like you.  And no one ever will. 

Still wish God had made you different?  Listen to the words of the prophet Isaiah who questions our questioning:

“Does a clay pot ever argue with its maker? Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying, ‘Stop, you are doing it wrong’' Does the pot exclaim, ‘How clumsy can you be!’”  (Isaiah 45:9 NLT)

Isaiah’s point?  If a funky-looking teapot of rusty plates and a stick handle doesn’t question the wisdom of its maker, why should we?  

The Apostle Paul goes on to offer this advice:

“Let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't.”  (Romans 12:6 MSG)

So the next time you find yourself comparing yourself to others or thinking, If only I looked like that person, then I would be happy, perhaps you need to stop and listen to another voice.  The voice of your maker who says, “I formed you myself.  You are the way you are for a purpose.  No matter what anyone else thinks or says, you’re my masterpiece.  And to me, you are beautiful.”

“As clay is in the potters hand, so are you in my hand.”  Jeremiah 18:6 NLT

Todd Chobotar
Mission Development
Florida Hospital