A Turtle on a Fencepost

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. (Romans 12:3-13 ESV).

 

There’s an old saying that goes something like this: “If you see a turtle on a fencepost, you know one thing for certain: somebody helped it get up there.” Most of the time the turtle is placed there to remove it from the danger of mowing or tilling the field. Of course I am not discounting the possibility that someone placed the turtle there with the cruel thought of leaving it there to suffer and perhaps die. Regardless, to understand this quote, you really must accept the basic premise, perched atop the fence post is not the best goal for a turtle permanently. They are cold blooded and sitting in the sun can be very destructive. It is also safe to say that the turtle cannot get down safely, that is unless the turtle has help.

 

This quote has powerful meaning for me.  When we think about all the people in our lives who have helped us, it starts to become clear that our lives are so intertwined with others we cannot get along without help. Whether going up or coming down, we need others and they need us.

 

Our life in this world is not designed to revolve around our­selves. As we mature in our Christian walk, we realize we’re not the only ones here, and, by God’s grace, we become less selfish. Life centers less on us. At one time we needed help, and we grow to help others. This is a process. When you became a Christian, that doesn’t mean you immediately love as Jesus does. But as you grow in devotion to God, you also become devoted to one another as believers, and you learn to honor others above yourself. The word “honor” implies giving something its proper weight, recognizing its importance and value to God. This process requires humility, courage, and perseverance. Sometimes it requires enduring the pain of rejection or ridicule. Are you willing to help and be helped?