February 4 Do You Have a Favorite Shape Like a Triangle, Circle or Square?

Do you remember the hard-plastic expandable ball/case that is a childhood toy? The one that you take the triangle, square, or star object and push it through the exact matching cutout in the case. Once you fit in all the pieces, you just grip the handles and expand the ball to let the pieces fall out and do it again.

That developmental toy is the actual embodiment of the saying "you cannot put a round peg in a square hole". We need different pegs or objects in our lives for the different holes that we need filled. As leader, you are part of a team. You and I are part of a team somewhere.

Maybe it is as a member of a family, or a company or a church but we are part of a team. We belong to that roundish toy case that I mentioned earlier. Our role as an oval, rectangle or half-moon is important as it is our design to fill exactly that.

Being part of a unique ability team asks us to be the very best triangle, circle or square that we can be. Let the star be the best star that it can be. It does not require any judgment, envy, or praise just because it is a star.

We need all the pieces to complete the case or project which will advance our mission. So, what is your role and where have you been trying to be a rectangle instead of being the star that you are?

In Exodus, Moses met with his father-in-law Jethro, after leading the people out of Egypt. Jethro taught Moses that he needed a team because he was trying to do it all himself. God could do much more with him if he were to put his energies into the team instead of just himself.

Just because we can be a great star in one area does not mean that a star performance is needed in the triangle time of life. Moses understood that and began to work with a better team. It became a unique ability team. That is a modern term, not a biblical one.

He gathered the triangles, squares, and circles. They were wise advisers who were put in place so that the effect of the whole system was much more than the cumulative sum of the parts. It is powerful to focus on our valuable contribution.



But we must work on putting ourselves in the right holes to bring our value to God's creation. When we try to force ourselves into the wrong space, we will likely waste energy, create frustration, and potentially hurt others or us.

Where can you shift your efforts so that you might find a better fit hole and space for your talents?

Let us pray, Heavenly Father, you have created us in your own image. Each of us are uniquely designed and built so we have our shape.

Inspire us to use the insights and wisdom of our shape to bring value to others. Help us to be true to your design and trust in it to bring value to your world. Make us to be the round peg for your will today so that we can fill the round holes that you might put in front of us.

May Christ be the first shape that we put into our case every day. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen,