Vol. 17 No. 25 | June 22, 2015
Disclaimer: I do not speak Duck or Robin. I have not studied the Duck culture (please do not report me to the Duck Dynasty), and I have never gone undercover (perhaps under-feather would be more appropriate) to watch and learn the ways of Robins. Nor have consulted an Ornithologist to check the accuracy of what I am about to present. I am just an ordinary guy who recently saw a one-legged duck and later that same day took notice of three Robins in a rose garden.
The one-legged duck (actually it was a one-and-a-half-legged duck) was on the fringe. It did not appear that the other ducks were being unkind or keeping their distance, it simply appeared that this duck felt more comfortable on the fringes. When on the ground the one-and-a-half-legged duck kept some distance between him (not sure if it was him or a her) and the other birds. When he wobbled into the water again he seemed to keep a safe distance as he paddled with his one leg.
Now shifting got the rose garden with the three robins, the atmosphere was quite different. These three robins came together — one from the fence, the other two from other locations in the garden — and shared a worm. They all took a nibble or two then returned to their place. One enjoyed the rest of the worm while perched atop the fence, the other two went back to search for more. After a search they came together again to share their findings, chat a bit then flew away.
I noticed that the three robins seems happy. The three robins seemed concerned about each other. The three robins seemed to be helping one another. The three robins seemed to enjoy being one another.
As I pondered these interesting creatures I was reminded of interactions I have observed within our spiritual communities.
Is there a one-and-a-half-legged duck in your church? You know them. Or, at least you have seen them. They come in late. That find a seat in an area where few people sit. During time of fellowship they leave early, or they keep to themselves. The only interactions are those initiated by someone else. He is not opposed to the connections, he probably would not be resistance to more in depth conversation, and even developing a relationship. He will not resist it but he will never be able to make the first move because he has been injured. You cannot see his injury because it is on the inside.
The robins are a different kind of church. They are friendly, loving, caring, and devoted to one another. If one has a need, all others rally to provide that need. If one struggles then all struggle. If one rejoices they all rejoices. Joy abounds within the community
The challenge here is for you, and your church, to look beyond the injury that has crippled the one-and-a-half-legged duck. The challenge is love him as he is, injured, broken, and weak. It will be up to you to approach him, welcome him, show him you can trust him, and become a safe place for him, when he is ready and willing, to reveal his injury to you. The reward for you, and for the body, will be when the one-and-a-half-legged duck is restored to become a vibrant and resourceful member of his new found family.
Whether yours is a community of robins or you are a one-and-a-half-legged duck, there is a place for you to use your gifts and abilities to serve others and bring glory to God. The challenge here is for you to be who God has created you to be, and to become.
Tom
A Norvell Note © Copyright 2015. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.