Square Pegs And Round Holes

“A parable tells of a group of animals who decide to start a school. The curriculum included swimming, running, climbing and flying. The duck, an excellent swimmer, had problems in other areas, so he majored in climbing, running and flying. As a result, his swimming suffered greatly. The rabbit, a superior runner, spent so much time trying to learn other areas that his speed began to fade. The squirrel, who had rated an “A” in climbing, dropped to a “C” because the instructors spent hours trying to teach him to swim and fly. And the eagle was disciplined for soaring to the top of the trees when he was being taught to climb” (John C. Huffman).

Not everyone has the same skill set. And yet, we struggle with that reality. It shows up when we try to force everyone into the same mold. This is the external pressure that comes from someone who says “If I’m good at this, everyone else should be as well.” But it can also crop up as internal pressure when we devalue our true giftedness at the expense of reaching for something that falls outside our abilities.

This problem is at least part of what Paul is dealing with in 1 Corinthians. The church there was being divisive over spiritual gifts. Some gifts were being valued and promoted over others. Notice what the apostle says: “But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”” (1 Corinthians 12:18–21).

The church needs square pegs AND round holes! Thank God for the diversity found in His body. Find what you are good at and do it! If you can stretch and learn something new, that’s great. But don’t ignore your gift.

God loves you!

Mike