In my devotional reading today I came across an amazing quote: 

"There are no ordinary people.  You have never talked to a mere mortal."   C.S. Lewis

Yesterday I spoke for a few minutes on how there are moments that people who believe in God look at something beautiful, such a sunset over the beach or a new baby, and see the handiwork of God.  Today when I read this quote I was struck once again by the value of each individual.  Our culture places a great value both on 'fitting in' and on 'being unique.'  We are pressured to 'fit in' so we don't appear out of touch or odd.  On the other hand, we are increasingly encouraged to express our own uniqueness.  Pick your own color of iPod; put your own unique case on it.  As long as you have an iPod, its OK. 

The Biblical worldview is that each individual is valuable.  No matter how socially awkward, no matter how damaged, and no matter how much someone is different than us -- people are rare, valueable, and worth knowing and saving  This worldview is very different than others.  In some religions a person is reincarnated into someone or something else, or is merged into the divine, or is absorbed into the energy of the universe.   However, Christians believe that each person is eternal and unique and is preserved beyond this reality.  If God chose to create and to preserve this uniqueness, shouldn't we value it deeply now?  

And, what about our own uniqueness?  You are no ordinary person.  God has given you different gifts, tallents, and abilities.  In this way, knowing yourself will help you understand how God made you, and knowing God will help you know yourself better.