Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Browsers, Grazers & Growers: Which are You?

Browsers are livestock, such as goats, that like to nibble here, nibble there, eat pretty much anything. They aren't picky or discerning and self-willed fence-jumping suits them to a "T".
Grazers, on the other hand, such as sheep and cattle, while not particularly discriminating, if they are put on good grass with adequate clean water are content and prosper. Some, for the sake of the owners, can be used to lure the flock or herd into cars headed for the slaughter houses---the Judas sheep. But that is a problem of the Owners. Most sheep, though, are competent grazers, and gladly go about the life of being a "sheep". In every flock, though, there are some who are particularly productive.
The Growers are what I would call these individuals. They are especially adept at turning their grazing grass into an abundance of meat, or fleece, or milk, or lambs. Different breeds have different characteristic strengths (or gifts).
Within the people called "Israel", all three---Browsers, Grazers, and Growers---live, often side by side.
Hope you aren't simply a browser goat...!
So then it comes down simply to this question---are you simply grazing the grass of "Israel" or are you growing Israel? Whatever your special gifts are, it seems to me, we are all called to grow Israel!

No comments: