“For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them…Romans 12:3-6 ESV

What would life be like if everyone only wrote with a #2 yellow pencil? We probably would manage. However, what would happen if someone introduces you to a red pencil? a mechanical blue pencil? a typewriter? a computer? Which would you prefer?

One of the challenges of leadership is surrounding yourself with people who will compliment you. There are leaders who surround themselves only with people who are like themselves. In my time we called them “yes” people. They always would agree with leadership in public. But behind doors, they totally disagree with the leaders final decision. They act like they are 100% behind the decision, but passively rebel when the foot hits the cement.

On the other hand, there are leaders who surround themselves with all types of people who differ from themselves. Abraham Lincoln built his senior cabinet post surrounding himself with people of high abilities but whose allegiance would be questioned from the outside looking in. Yet he recognized that differences of opinion and personality and other attributes assisted him with reaching important decisions.

What does this have to do with yellow pencils and the church? Sometimes we in the church believe everyone should behave and act and look in a peculiar way. Like yellow pencils, we believe unity comes from conformity on the outside. Not realizing that Christian unity comes from the Spirit (Ephesians 4:3 ). Ever notice how ministers graduating from the same seminary behave and act similarly when preaching or teaching a course. They simple execute what they have learned. Like yellow pencils, they look and act accordingly.

Yet there are those who realize the purpose of a pencil is to have the ability to communicate through the written medium. The color of the pencil doesn’t matter. Whether it is a #2 or a #3 pencil doesn’t matter. What matters is that the message is communicated.

I for one am thankful that God created us all with a different personality, ethnic origin, and attributes. It adds flavor and color into the action. Yet for those whose preference is yellow pencils, I am also thankful that God created you. Without you I wouldn’t appreciate all the various differences that make up the Body of Christ.

PS: To this day I am a faithful, daily yellow pencil user in my work and writings. I also enjoy modern technology. Everything has a time, place, and purpose.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Founder & Executive Director
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
* Great Business Emulates a Good God
* Be Radical…Follow Christ!
* Simply The Messenger
* Unequally Married