By Xiangyi, Spain
On a mountain there lay a big and valuable stone suitable for making inkstones. One day it was discovered by some people and they carried it back. The raw stone was divided into two parts and they were sent to different carvers. After some time of carving and polishing, one part was carved into a common inkstone, while the other part was made into a spectacular inkstone decorated in a raised-relief dragon pattern. The dragon inkstone was placed on a shelf in the study of the master, who often invited his friends to come to appreciate it. The visitors, one after another, were full of praise for the dragon inkstone; meanwhile, none of them paid attention to the common inkstone on the desk. Seeing that the dragon inkstone was highly praised by people, the common inkstone was deeply envious of it and also full of complaints, feeling the situation was unfair. The dragon inkstone then said to it, “As part of the same stone, I was made into a dragon inkstone for people to see. This is my value. Meanwhile, you’re made into a common inkstone which brings help to the master’s writing of calligraphy. That is your particular value. We each have our own merits and value, and are fulfilling our respective functions. So, there is no need for you to complain. We only need to perform our own roles properly.”
The common inkstone and the dragon inkstone are carved from one raw stone but they have different functions and value. When it comes to their different destinies, we would often show our sympathy for the common inkstone, which doesn’t have a beautiful appearance despite its practical value and is thus neglected by people. Besides, we envy the dragon inkstone because it has splendid looks for people to feast their eyes on and is highly appreciated. Much of the time we look at things based on our own preferences. However, are our views in accordance with the truth and God’s intention in creating all things? Actually, the common inkstone and the dragon inkstone perform their functions in their respective places. They each have their own strengths and merits. A stone for making inkstones can be divided into different parts, and each part has its value and will be carved according to its function. Likewise, each person created by God has different missions and they are all doing their functions in their respective places. The Lord Jesus said, “And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey” (Mat 25:15). God’s word says, “The functions are not the same. There is one body. Each does his duty, each in his place and doing his very best, every spark of enthusiasm a flash of light, seeking maturity in life, thus will I be satisfied.” We all have our own advantages and strong points. If we can obey the Creator’s sovereignty and arrangements, view ourselves correctly and avoid blindly envying or belittling others, we’ll be able to play to our strengths and perform our functions well in our proper places, fulfilling our duties as creatures and living a wonderful life with meaning.
We all have our own value and significance. It’s the same with all things God created; they all contain God’s good will. If there is something that does not have significance, God will let it cease to exist. God’s word says, “In the thoughts of God, He intended to give each and every appearance, and all sorts of functions and uses, to the various living things He created, and so none of the things God made were cut from the same mold. From their exterior to their internal composition, from their living habits to the location that they occupy — each is different. Cows have the appearance of cows, donkeys have the appearance of donkeys, deer have the appearance of deer, and elephants have the appearance of elephants. Can you say which is the best looking, and which is the ugliest? Can you say which is the most useful, and the existence of which is the least necessary? Some people like the way elephants look, but no one uses elephants to plant fields; some people like the way lions and tigers look, for their appearance is the most impressive amongst all things, but can you keep them as pets? In short, when it comes to all things, man should defer to the authority of the Creator, which is to say, defer to the order appointed by the Creator to all things; this is the wisest attitude. Only an attitude of searching for, and obedience to, the original intentions of the Creator is the true acceptance and certainty of the authority of the Creator.”
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