Am I a Post Turtle?

Have you ever heard of a Post Turtle? The story goes… if you are walking along a fence and spot a turtle sitting on top of a post, that is a post turtle. There are different humorous directions on how that might have transpired, but in every analogy, the turtle did not get up on that post by himself. Someone had to put him there. I admit, how bizarre would it be to drive along out in the country and glance over at the fence and see a turtle perched on top of a post. But this got me to thinking, could I be a “post turtle?” I could not have gotten to where I am today without my parents, my wife, various people and situations that God used in my life to get me to where I am at today. That “post turtle” didn’t get there by accident and neither did I.

Where You Are At Today is by God’s Design

So many times, it is easy to surmise that our successes or failures is by our own design. However, in reality, through various life circumstances, God has used many things to get us where we are at, in a given moment, for a specific purpose…. In His time. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” (1 Peter 5:6) When I think about all the people or events in my life who have helped me, not only is it humbling, but starts to become clear that my life accomplishments are just a series of fence posts that simply could not be reached on my own. Making that leap to the top of the fence post is insurmountable unless we have a mighty hand to lift us up. God’s mighty hand was at work through post turtles in scripture as well. Just look at Joseph…His jealous brothers. The pit. Slavery. Prison. Then he found himself sitting on a post! Or how about the Apostle Paul? Persecuted Christians. Stoned. Shipwrecked. Imprisoned. Then rose to great heights proclaiming the new covenant to the world. Or how about Moses, David, Rahab, or Ruth?

Opportunities Or Just a Post?

Being put on a “fence post” is a wonderful opportunity. It is also a reassuring sign that God has a plan for you. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11) Ultimately, we should view those heights from a perspective of humble gratitude. After all, we’re not the ones who put ourselves there in the first place. “Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, who seek the Lord: Look to the rock from which you were hewn and to the quarry from which you were dug” (Isaiah 51:1). Are you sitting on a fence post right now? Faced with a sudden turn of good fortune or an unexpected opportunity? Take time to consider why God might have placed you there. Then act on how you can use this opportunity. The opportunity to serve God before you are once again placed back on the ground. Dear Lord, thank you for putting me on that post so I can clearly see all you have done for me. Amen.