The One Size Fits All Myth

 We seem to live in a one size fits all world. We hear easy solutions for complex problems and we follow one view of how to live and work and succeed. And no one seems to notice that the emperor has no clothes.

A turtle is not a failure because it cannot fly like an eagle. A trout is not a failure because it cannot climb a tree like a squirrel. But we have standards that we impose on everyone whether it works for them or not. Just like the old Pharisees, we impose heavy burdens on people that we will not even lift one finger to do.

As a very young pastor I learned some valuable lessons that I suppose every young pastor needs to learn. Such as; you run with the runners, you do not disciple the whole church, and the soup is never eaten as hot as it is cooked. A wise pastor knows what his church needs. He knows what to do and how to do it. And he knows that to get everyone on board supporting the overall vision you have to deal with individual people as they are. Bringing out treasures both new and old. Being an able minister of the manifold grace of God.

I listened to about 2 minutes of a new pastor's farewell sermon in another church and he was so out of touch with me that I turned him off. Love covers a multitude of sins, but not all of them. 

I have lived long enough that for the most part I know what works for me and I know what will never work for me. I am not a failure and neither are you for doing what we can and avoiding what we cannot do.