A Turtle on a Trail
For a turtle, he was moving pretty fast. Until he saw me.
That’s when he stopped dead in his tracks and pulled his classic maneuver. Triggered by my looming presence, he withdrew his most vulnerable resources. Shell-shocked, you might say. And once he was in that position, he wasn’t going anywhere.
Why this creature left the safety of his nearby pond and wandered onto my walking trail, I’m not sure. But a turtle on a trail offers an important reminder about the way the world works.
You see, I’m a rabbit. That’s just the way God made me. Rather than trundling along the trail like our friend the turtle, I zip and dip and turn, racing across varied terrain and blazing my own trail. I typically don’t stop until it’s time to eat.
In this world, we will encounter both rabbits and turtles. So which is the superior creature?
Hold on. That’s a dangerous question. It’s a little like asking a parent to name their favorite child.
Both designs were conceived in heaven and have been rolling off God’s assembly line for thousands of years. Both are time-tested and reliable models. But each must also heed the warnings that come directly from the Manufacturer.
If you’ve been built as a tortoise, the danger is becoming so careful that nothing gets done. You may even be tempted to protect yourself beyond what legitimate danger calls for. As Proverbs 22:13 puts it, “The sluggard says, ‘There’s a lion outside! I’ll be killed in the public square!’”
So to all the turtles out there, Wisdom has this to say: “Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically” (Romans 12:11).
And for all the bunny rabbits like me, the Creator’s caution is just as clear: “It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way” (Proverbs 19:2). A few verses later, we’re reminded that “a man’s wisdom gives him patience” (Proverbs 19:11).
In a healthy ecosystem, you’ll find both tortoises and hares. Both have their place. Both belong.
And whichever one you are, learn to appreciate and honor the other. The turtle may need a little nudge to get moving, while the rabbit may need a reminder to slow down and look around. We all have something to learn from one another.
After all, the Creator knew what He was doing when He made both.
— Pastor Pete
“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”
Romans 12:9–10
That’s when he stopped dead in his tracks and pulled his classic maneuver. Triggered by my looming presence, he withdrew his most vulnerable resources. Shell-shocked, you might say. And once he was in that position, he wasn’t going anywhere.
Why this creature left the safety of his nearby pond and wandered onto my walking trail, I’m not sure. But a turtle on a trail offers an important reminder about the way the world works.
You see, I’m a rabbit. That’s just the way God made me. Rather than trundling along the trail like our friend the turtle, I zip and dip and turn, racing across varied terrain and blazing my own trail. I typically don’t stop until it’s time to eat.
In this world, we will encounter both rabbits and turtles. So which is the superior creature?
Hold on. That’s a dangerous question. It’s a little like asking a parent to name their favorite child.
Both designs were conceived in heaven and have been rolling off God’s assembly line for thousands of years. Both are time-tested and reliable models. But each must also heed the warnings that come directly from the Manufacturer.
If you’ve been built as a tortoise, the danger is becoming so careful that nothing gets done. You may even be tempted to protect yourself beyond what legitimate danger calls for. As Proverbs 22:13 puts it, “The sluggard says, ‘There’s a lion outside! I’ll be killed in the public square!’”
So to all the turtles out there, Wisdom has this to say: “Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically” (Romans 12:11).
And for all the bunny rabbits like me, the Creator’s caution is just as clear: “It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way” (Proverbs 19:2). A few verses later, we’re reminded that “a man’s wisdom gives him patience” (Proverbs 19:11).
In a healthy ecosystem, you’ll find both tortoises and hares. Both have their place. Both belong.
And whichever one you are, learn to appreciate and honor the other. The turtle may need a little nudge to get moving, while the rabbit may need a reminder to slow down and look around. We all have something to learn from one another.
After all, the Creator knew what He was doing when He made both.
— Pastor Pete
“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”
Romans 12:9–10