“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” (Romans 14:19 NIV)
In a pasture near my home, there is a herd of black cows of various sizes. There is one calf that looks different from the rest. It has a large white patch of skin around its middle. It sticks out among the herd. I wonder if this calf is more likely to be a prey for coyotes.
Communities are similar to herds. There is comfort in numbers, so people seek to form tribes with others who are similar. It is safer to conform than to be odd. Just like in a herd, being different can cause you to be a target of predators.
Ironically, it’s common to feel uncommon. Most everyone I know feels unusual--like an oreo cow in a herd of black cattle. Depending on your attitude, you might see yourself as either a misfit or as extraordinary. When we recognize that everyone is unique in their own way, we are able to make peace with our individual differences and work towards mutual edification. Our focus shifts from self-valuation to uplifting, encouraging, and enlightening others.
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