Issue 698 – A Rare Treat – March 29, 2022
Watching the lesser yellowlegs feeding was fascinating. It walked out to the top of its thighs in water, then periodically dipped its bill down and came up with a small fish, frog or invertebrate. If you don’t think that’s marvellous, I suggest you try walking out in the water to the tops of your thighs, then bending over and catching a live fish in your teeth.
As we walked further, we got a rare treat. An osprey dove and brought up a trout. I think it was only the second time I’ve seen an osprey on that lake, so it must have been passing through the neighbourhood.
Osprey and yellowlegs are two totally different species of birds, both fish eaters with very distinct ways of fishing. The yellowlegs could never catch a fish by diving from the air; it would starve to death. An osprey couldn’t wade out deep enough to catch fish as the yellowlegs do.
God created diversity for a reason. He’s a master craftsman and artist with skills unmatched by all the masters on earth combined.
There’s diversity in the church. One of the biggest blessings is that Christians aren’t called to be tiny robots and be precisely the same. We’re created in His image, gifted and talented individually and called to fill a plan He has designed for each of us as individuals.
Instead of bickering and fighting over issues such as music styles, dress, and the like, we could be rejoicing that God’s Word is reaching different people with different needs. Some people like the very ritualistic and liturgical “high church,” for others, that is very uncomfortable. Some like contemporary music, others don’t like music at all. Some wouldn’t dance if their lives depended on it. Others can’t sit still. Believe it or not, some people even prefer differing translations of the Bible.
We can celebrate as long as the whole truth is proclaimed and people are drawn to Christ. We’re busy fighting like spoiled children over methods when it’s the message that counts. God didn’t create you or me as the centre of the universe. It’s silly to think that everyone must want to do things the same way you or I do. No, it’s worse than silly; it is sheer arrogance.
For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel that I may share with them in its blessings.
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
The osprey and the yellowlegs fish differently. The same is true for ministries. If it doesn’t compromise the truth of Scripture and the need for Jesus, I’m all for it, even when it doesn’t suit my personal tastes. If Christ is truly the centre and God glorified, non-essential differences don’t bother me.
Until next time, remember we’re all called to be fishers of men. Fish using the gifts God gave you, and don’t worry that it’s not the same way someone else is fishing.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed.
Kevin.
Gleanings From The Word.
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (for the glory of God alone.)
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV). Spelling modified to Canadian English as required.
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