I always wondered how we could grow to look like Jesus but still keep our individuality. Character-wise, like Jesus, but . . . see what C.S. Lewis writes at the end of “Problem of Pain.”
“What can be more a man’s own than a new name which even in eternity remains a secret between God and him? (See Rev 2:17, To him that overcomes I will give a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows except he that receives it.)
What shall we take this secrecy to mean? Surely, that each of the redeemed shall forever know and praise some one aspect of the Divine beauty better than any other creature can. Why else were individuals created, but that God, loving all infinitely, should love each differently?
And this difference, so far from impairing, floods with meaning the love of all blessed creatures for one another, the communion of the saints.
If all experienced God in the same way and returned Him an identical worship, the song of the Church triumphant would have no symphony, it would be like an orchestra in which all the instruments played the same note.
. . . each has something to tell all the others–fresh and ever fresh news . . .
. . . For doubtless the continually successful, yet never complete, attempt by each soul to communicate its unique vision to all others – – is also among the ends for which the individual was created.”
Mr. Lewis, I couldn’t have said it better!