“The trees… Where the birds make their nests…for the stork, the fir trees are her house. The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies …O LORD, how manifold are thy works!” (Psa 104:16-24). All the animals fit into animal places. My Fable of the Animal School: The duck and the eagle became discontent with their God-given places and positions in life. They decided to attend a special animal school that taught animals to excel in other areas of life. The duck could swim but not soar as the eagle. The eagle could soar but not swim as the duck. They both tried to learn but only became weary and disappointed.
Why? Because you cannot excel in all areas of life. Everyone has different gifts, talents, and abilities, but all can be used of the Lord. Example: Just because you cannot sing does not mean you cannot serve. The duck tried but just could not soar as the eagle. Fact: If you walk like a duck, swim like a duck, quack like a duck then you must be a duck. The eagle tried but could not swim. Finally, both decided to accept who and what they actually were. The duck again splashed. The eagle again soared.
The moral of this fable: “Be who you is, cuz if you ain’t who you is then you is what you ain’t.” You cannot be me and I cannot be you. The position is already filled. All have different gifts and abilities (I Cor. 12:12). Learn that the Lord places you as it pleases Him (not you). No one has all the gifts and all abilities. But accept the fact that there are some things you just cannot do. “For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath (can do), and not according to that he hath not (cannot do)” (2 Cor. 8:12). I hath not abilities to sing, but I can sign to the Deaf. Make a list of your haths then be willing to do them. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might” (Eccl.9:10). When you are WHO you really are it pleases both you and God. Why? When God gives you a gift it pleases you. When you use your gift it pleases God. Learn to serve in your God-given sweet spots. Ministry should be enjoyed not endured.
Simply, use what you hath: David/sling, Dorcas/needle, Moses/rod. I often say, “If everyone would just be willing to use what they hath, every need in the churches and ministries would be met.” Bloom where you are planted. So, if you quack like a duck, just be a duck, but be the best duck you can be for God. Again, “Be who you is, cuz, if you ain’t who you is then you is what you ain’t. A lesson from the animal school.
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