Turtle On A Fencepost

“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” Romans 12:3

Allan Emery tells the story of picking up a visiting preacher at Boston’s Logan Airport. On the ride from the airport, the minister talked about his work in such a way that Emery felt the man viewed himself as a spectator to what God was doing in his very own life and ministry.

When Emery complimented him on his considerable talents, the minister responded, “Allan, when I was a schoolboy we would occasionally see a turtle on a fencepost and when we did, we knew someone had put him there. He didn’t get there by himself. That is how I see my own life. I’m a turtle on a fencepost.”*

I am a turtle on a fencepost. Can we not all truthfully say that?

The inspired apostle encourages us to be honest in evaluating ourselves. So important. So difficult. Haven’t we all seen the damage done when someone thinks too highly of herself? The demands. The egocentric behavior. The thanklessness.

But then again, haven’t we seen what happens when someone thinks too lowly of himself? The loss of desire. The unwillingness to risk trying. The feeling of complete unworthiness.

Paul encourages us not to think too highly of ourselves, that is, to misinterpret ourselves as being indispensable to God and the world. But in the next breath this apostle urges us to value our giftedness — whatever form it takes. The Spirit blends all together to animate the body of Christ. We are not all alike, we have different gifts. All flow out of God’s grace freely given us.

And gifted us He has. Generously. Graciously. Genuinely.

It’s not about me. Someone put us here and it’s all about Him.

So let’s all say it together. I am a turtle on a fencepost.

That’s just the kind of honest evaluation God wants in us.

— Bob Clark

*from A Turtle on a Fencepost by Allan C. Emery, (pp. 13-14).

2/15/05