Just be yourself

Stir up the gift of God which is in you. – 2 TIMOTHY 1:6

Some Christian groups exert pressure on their members to talk, act, or look alike. This must frustrate the people who are judged for not conforming. In trying to make them "fit", the group may be stifling their strongest and best gifts.

Here’s a parable that illustrates the point: A rural village was located in an area inhabited by parrots. One day a falcon landed on a windowsill. The owner of the house caught it. The villagers had never seen such a bird. They decided to trim back its feathers, cut its talons, and file down its beak so it would be like the birds they were familiar with.

As followers of Christ, we are to imitate Him (1 CORINTHIANS 11:1; 1 JOHN 2:6). If we become more like Him, does that mean we all will begin to act alike? Yes and no. Yes, in that our behavior toward others and reactions to circumstances will increasingly become like those of Jesus. No, in that we are each given unique gifts and interests and abilities to develop and use for His glory (EPHESIANS 4:7).

Let’s not be guilty of stifling our fellow Christians. Instead, let’s allow for differences. God has made them unique and gifted them to fulfill His purposes. It’s a shame to turn a falcon into a parrot.

– DAVID C. EGNER

God builds church with different stones,

He makes each one belong;

All shapes and sizes fit in place

To make the structure strong. – SPER

READ: EPHESIANS 4:1-6

All Christians have the same employer – they just have different jobs.