A rural village was located in an area inhabited by parrots. One day a falcon landed on a windowsill. The owner of the house caught it. The villagers had never seen such a bird. They decided to trim back its feathers. They cut its talons. The beak was the next to go; it was filed down so that the falcon looked like a parrot.1 We should look alike in our efforts to be like Jesus, but we should allow for unique giftings and talents to develop in accordance with God’s plan, not our preferences.
1. Dave Egner. Our Daily Bread, 2003 RBC, Volume 48, Numbers 3-5, June 22