"Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, "I don't need you." The head can't say to the feet, "I don't need you." In fact, some of the parts that seem weakest and least important are really the most necessary. " 1 Corinthians 12:20-22 (NLT)
At any given race, especially the larger ones, the race director's name is generally given along with his/her immediate staff. They are almost always publicly acknowledged for their hard work in making it possible for the event to happen. What runners sometimes fail to realize is that it could not have taken place without the aid of countless others, usually volunteers. From the people helping with registration to the ones passing out water along the course, it takes many people assisting to allow the race director to perform his/her duties. Similarly, the same is true in our churches. It takes many volunteers and church staff to make it possible for the Pastor to give his sermon. Yet, they are rarely acknowledged or thanked for their selfless acts of service.
I normally arrive with only minutes to spare for the 9:45 service at my church. I usually walk in, take a pamphlet from the greeter and head to my seat as the worship team starts to play. Yesterday, I arrived at 6:30 a.m. to help set up for the guest speaker, Chris Gillespie (TEAM 413 founder). The pastor had already arrived (who knew he got there at 6am?!!) and was turning on the lights and preparing the sanctuary. By 7:00 a.m. the friendliest door greeter in history arrived to make coffee for everyone. He had brought in 6 dozen donuts and 5 different kinds of coffee creamers (I never knew who did this). Then the members of the band and choir arrived and began setting up and rehearsing for the service. I never dreamed that all this work went into a Sunday service. Just like at a race, the people behind the scenes, the "parts that seem weakest and least important are really the most necessary." They make it possible for the pastor to deliver his sermon to the lost and needy. The "many parts" make up the "one body" and each part is equally important yet not given the same amount of credit. I don't believe I will ever take another service for granted and will surely not miss the chance to thank these volunteers for their kindness and willingness to serve.
Whatever position God has placed you in, if you are serving Him, you are an important part in the body. Smile and know that God chose you for the very position you are filling! And as always, "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people." Colossians 3:23.
Heavenly Father, thank You for choosing us to serve You. What an honor it is to serve You in any way. You could have chosen anyone and yet You chose us. You chose us for the job and equipped us to fill it. May we use our gifts, skills and time to glorify You and to help our Pastors and others do the job they were called to do. I pray that we all work together as one body, all equally important, to bring glory and praise to your name. In your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org
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