In my younger and middle aged days, I ALWAYS wanted to fit in, not stand out. I wanted to be wanted. Have you ever felt this way? I did things that I should not have done so that I would fit in. I laughed at dumb jokes so I would not stand out as the odd girl out. I said things to make myself, seemingly, a part of the crowd. In reality, I would go home and detest myself for acting those ways because it was NOT who I really was. I had this shadow following me around for years saying, “But you said….But you did this….But you did that….” and I would be living with these lies for years.

As I have grown older and have grown closer to Christ, I have come to realize that I am unique, different than anyone else on this earth. I am me! God created me and I am like no one else. He wanted one me and now I am thankful to Him for His mercy and grace in forgiving my lies that I have told about myself and believed about myself. I AM THE ONLY, THE ONE AND ONLY ME!! : ) I do not have to fit into the world. Jesus said, “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” John 17:16

Paul said, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

I am beginning to feel like the woman who wrote, “When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple.” Maybe I shall not wear purple, but I shall dress from the inside-out, allowing God to remind me of just who I am. I am now in my late sixties and have finally come to accept this beautiful fact and truth that is ME!

Thank You, my Sweet Father. I am this odd girl out. I am a peculiar treasure to You. I am Yours. I am the only me and I accept this me for she is who I am. And, LORD, when I forget this truth, please remind me that I am unique because this is how You made me. I am loved as I am. I have been given gifts from You that are unique to me. Forgive me when I forget; forgive me when I try to fit in to this world. I thank You for loving me, Father.

Meanings of the word peculiar today:

strange, odd, unusual, bizarre, weird, queer, unexpected, unfamiliar, abnormal, atypical, out of the ordinary;
exceptional, extraordinary, remarkable; puzzling, mystifying, mysterious, perplexing, baffling;
suspicious, eerie, uncanny, unnatural

There are three sets of meanings here.

In God’s Word, there are also three different meanings, ever-so-slightly different yet the same.

Hebrew

סְגֻלָּה

cĕgullah

feminine passive participle of an unused root meaning to shut up; wealth (as closely shut up):—jewel, peculiar (treasure), proper good, special, private property; often used as the people of Israel

Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people: for all the earth is Mine: And ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. Exodus 19:5-6

For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto Himself, and Israel for His peculiar treasure. Psalm 135:4

And they shall be Mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Malachi 3:17

Greek

Two slightly different words:

περιούσιος

periousios

that which is one’s own, belonging to one’s possessions: a people selected by God from the other nations for His own possession

being beyond usual, i.e. special (one’s own):—peculiar

Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 2:14

περιποίησις

peripoiēsis

acquisition (the act or the thing); by extension, preservation:—obtain(-ing), peculiar, purchased, possession, saving

Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:14

Whereunto He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:14

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light:…. 1 Peter 2:9

May I look inside of me, Father, and see the beautiful heart You have given me. May I know deep down that Your creation is a treasure to You. Oh, that I am a jewel to the God of all creation. Oh, Father, how amazed I am at this gem of wisdom. I am Your jewel, Your precious treasure. I am peculiar because I am beyond the usual. BEYOND THE USUAL!!! OH, how wonderful that sounds to this child of Yours who has tried to fit in for so much of her life. I love You, LORD. You are so beautiful to me. Thank You for guiding me to this realization. I feel like sunshine. I am smiling for this truth is so very special for and to me, LORD. I feel like a light in this world because I am Yours. May I sparkle as a real jewel that has been buried in the earth and suddenly brought to daylight. I know…I KNOW I am Your peculiar treasure. In gratitude, I pray in the Name of Jesus. Hallelujah and Amen.

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