Some years ago I took part in an organised walk through the northern heart of the Pennines. The sun shone and all of the mountain and valley scenery – we started near Middleton-in-Teesdale – was rolled in golden warmth.

The chief aim of the day was to study botany en route. We located many interesting types of plant and bird, including orchids of various kinds, lapwings and several birds of prey.

However the highlight of the trip was discovering, near Cow Green reservoir, small, scattered, rich blue patches of gentians. I was told this is the only place in England they grow. It was a barren landscape in which to find such intense beauty.

Similarly to these so prized gentians, God values our human uniqueness; even when we find ourselves having to survive in a social, commercial, environmental or family climate that is a constant challenge.

We may each often feel alone and unique, though God does know (even if others do not) exactly where he is locating and encouraging us to be at all times, and why. It is there, despite all the aridity, that he encourages us to prosper.

In order to bring true joy to others it is exactly this uniqueness He often wishes to deploy.

Psalm 90 concludes: Let Your work appear to Your servants And Your glory to their children; And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us And establish the work of our hands for us: Yes, establish the work of our hands.

Neil Hughes, Bampton Church