As I come to sit before You this evening, Father, open my heart and mind to Your Word. Enable me to see the treasures before me, maybe even some I’ve never seen before. Amen.
Romans 12:4-8 (<<click here to read the passage)
One thing that I’ve taken the initiative to start doing in latter years is speaking to those whom most people don’t even see. Many of them have important yet thankless jobs. We would be up a creek if they didn’t do what they did.
I’ve started thanking the important, behind-the-scenes people. On one of my last field trips, we went to the Ohio History Museum down in Columbus, I happened to notice a gentleman collecting trash from the bins in the eating area. I didn’t make a big deal about it, but I thanked him. The bus mechanics where I work do a great job. If my bus’s maintenance was in my hands, I would be in a whole heap of trouble! I try to regularly express my appreciation – they deserve it!
I share this because all parts of our society are important and we must not neglect the more menial contributors.
In these verses, the Apostle Paul speaks of the many parts of the body – referring to the body of the believers in Christ – encouraging each part to do their part to the fullest. We – every single one of us – have been given gifts – abilities, talents by God’s grace. They are not all upfront and bombastically “important” gifts as far as the world is concerned but they most definitely are in God’s eyes.
…we all belong to each other.
…if…prophesy, speak out…
If…serving others, serve them well.
If you are a teacher, teach well.
If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging.
If it is giving, give generously.
If…leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously.
…if a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
That’s a pretty good cross-section and that is by no means all the gifts God gives us, but we must do our part because the Body needs us…God needs us.
In this Sunday’s sermon, I’m sharing the following illustration.
On October 26, 1967, Martin Luther King, Jr. speaking to students at Barratt Jr. High School in Philadelphia had this to say about street sweepers, “If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Leontyne Price sings before the Metropolitan Opera. Sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause and say: Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well.”
Do your part. Do it well. All the hosts of heaven and earth are watching…and cheering us on!
Aug 3rd, 2023, Thurs, 7:39 pm
