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Obedience and Surrender

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From the Editor From the Editor

The One and Only You

By Arlene Allen

A man who thought he had an amazing replica of a Leonardo da Vinci painting took his work of art to a museum. He showed the copied painting to the curator to get his reaction. The curator immediately identified the painting as a forgery—and also identified the copyist, his nationality and when the copy was made.

When the curator turned the painting over, the information on the back confirmed he was right on all three counts. "How did you know it was a fake?" the man asked. "It looks like an amazing likeness to me."

"People who make a living copying the masters have little imagination of their own," the curator explained. "And this person's choice of subject, brush strokes and areas of emphasis practically scream 'Fake!' Think about those celebrity impersonators—how they overemphasize a certain vocal inflection or gesture. It's the same thing here."

If you truly want to distinguish yourself, be an innovator, not an imitator. God has given you unique skills, ideas and experiences. It's OK to be inspired by role models, but use that inspiration to develop your own distinctive style—your ministry. The world doesn't need a clone of someone else. It needs the one and only you!

Imagine receiving a gift from a wealthy person renowned for her taste in selecting perfect and valuable presents for everyone on her list. Wouldn't this be a gift you would be eager to open? Sadly, many people have been given gifts from the perfect Giver, but they never bother to open them or use them for their intended purposes.

God has given each of us abilities and He never makes a mistake. His gifts are never the wrong size or style or inappropriate in any other way. No one has ever needed to return a gift from God. If we open these heaven-sent gifts, we can then use them in a way that will benefit others and bring glory to our Creator.

Putting your God-given talents to work will be most satisfying. Few things are as beautiful as Creator and creation working together. Do what you can with what you've been given. You can't begin to imagine what He will do with your gift!

Arlene AllenARLENE ALLEN is national director of the national Women's Ministries Department and editor in chief of WTOnline.

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