By Rachel Riquelme
Have you ever designed something? Maybe you created a painting and planned out where each color would go before you even picked up your brush. Maybe you designed a room in your home, deciding where to place the furniture and which color would make the space come alive. Perhaps you organized a garden, plotting how big it would be and which plants grow best side by side.
Designing anything takes thought and purpose. Every detail has meaning.
Recently, I’ve been working on a project that reminded me of how God designs us—with intention, purpose, and beauty in our differences. For almost a year, I’ve been designing a small 3D-printed robot to compete in combat robotics competitions with my family. I’ve spent hours deciding on the wheels, the frame size, and what features it should have to perform just right.
When I finally finished, I proudly showed it to my sons. Their reactions made me smile.
One said, “Your robot looks too different. You can’t have pink—it needs to look intimidating!”
The other added, “Why do your wheels look like that? They have holes in them; shouldn’t they be solid?”
I explained that the honeycomb pattern in the wheels made them lighter and stronger, and the pink accents—well, that’s just my favorite color! My design didn’t look like anyone else’s, and that was on purpose.
It struck me how much this mirrors the way God designs each of us. We’re all “built” differently. We are unique in our personalities, our abilities, and even our interests. Some of us love art, while others thrive in sports or even problem-solving. Some are outgoing, while others quietly connect with others.
Those differences aren’t accidents. They are part of God’s intentional design. God designed each of us on purpose for a purpose.
Just like my robot’s unique design gives it a specific purpose, our uniqueness allows us to serve God in ways no one else can. The Bible reminds us in Psalm 139:14, “I will praise you
because I have been remarkably and wondrously made. Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well.” Our differences aren’t flaws—they’re features that God uses to bring Him glory.
When kids and preschoolers learn that their own differences and the differences they see in others are part of God’s plan, they begin to see the beauty in diversity. Instead of comparing or competing, kids can celebrate what makes each person special.
So next time kids in your ministry express feeling “too different,” share a reminder that God made them exactly as they are for a reason. The same goes when kids struggle to understand or appreciate the differences in each other. Help preschoolers and kids see that their talents, quirks, and passions are tools God uses to show His creativity and love to the world.
When we celebrate those differences together, we reflect His glory even more.
Rachel Riquelme is the Preschool Content Editor and Resource Specialist for Lifeway’s NextGen resource, Hyfi. With an MA in Discipleship and a ThM, she has a passion for building resilient disciples who have strong faith to last a lifetime. She has spent the last 15 years in Kids, Preschool, and Family Ministry and lives in Murray, KY. Rachel loves reading, biking, and spending time with her husband and two sons.
How to Help Small Children Thrive in Worship Services
»