Verse: Romans 12:4-5
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
Devotional Thoughts:
One of my best friends pastors at a church in British Columbia, Canada. The weather is frigid there, and I tease him that when I come to visit I fully expect to go dog-sledding at some point. For some reason, I’ve always been fascinated with dog-sledding. My grandpa used to talk about the annual Alaskan Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and I believe that those conversations, the popular, animated movie “Balto,” and my love for Jack London novels all led me to appreciate the sport.
The other day I was reading the true story behind the Siberian Husky named Balto. Most people have a general idea of the story – many in Nome, Alaska, had come down with diphtheria, a dangerous, highly-contagious disease. Because of the weather and wintry conditions, the closest they were able to bring the anti-toxin was to the town of Nenana, some 674 miles away from Nome. Several mushers and their dog-sled teams took part in a relay between Nenana and Nome, arriving in just over 5 days and saving the town.
Balto, the lead sled dog on the final team that arrived in Nome, quickly reached world-wide fame. He was highlighted on front-pages of newspapers world-wide, featured in a Hollywood movie, and commemorated with his own statue in Central Park. What’s not commonly known is that another dog, Togo, and his team, actually ran over 200 miles more than any other team, all while tasked with navigating the most difficult and dangerous parts of the trail. Unfortunately, this lead to much jealousy because of Balto’s fame. Controversy ensued, feelings were hurt, and words were said, all because another dog was considered the star.
Which leads me to say this – may we never replace the desire for success in our God-given mission as a church with a desire for stardom in accomplishing that mission. We too, are bearers of something that saves lives. We too, have been sent on a life-saving mission in which, to be the most effective, we must work with and alongside each other.
On that 1925 dog-sledding mission, they had to work together. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t accomplish what they had been sent to do. And friends, neither will we.
If we don’t work together, we won’t have success. We won’t be successful in reaching Bells, in reaching Crockett County, in reaching the nations with the Good News of the Gospel. You can’t do it alone. I can’t do it alone. Paul says in the verse above that we all have different functions and different roles, but together we are still “one body in Christ.” Paul understands this deeply because he also says,
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.
– 1 Corinthians 3:6
So let’s understand that, truly, Jesus is the real star of the show. We all have different roles – and we all do have roles in ministry – but God is the one that gives the increase. So let’s focus ourselves in being successful in our mission rather than being considered a star of the mission.
Points to Ponder:
What role are you playing in the ministry of the church?
If you don’t have a role, how could you get involved?
If you do have a role, are there any ways that you are trying to be considered a star of that ministry?
Better question, do you consider yourself to be indispensable when it comes to the particular church ministry you are working in?
Are you able to get on board with ideas that are not your own when it comes to the ministry you are working in?
Blessings,
Zac
