Every Life A Purpose

Do you play the Piano?  Maybe you know someone who does.  The photo you see at the left is from my church's Grand Piano played every Sunday.  We are looking at part of the Resonator Board (where the sound is produced) plus we can see some of the strings.  A Grand Piano has over 200 strings of various widths and lengths.  When the hammer strikes on the strings that note is produced.  Suppose you had a piano like this one and most of your strings sounded, but a few did not.  They did not because they were not there.  That would be a huge problem as no song could be played correctly without all the notes in all the octaves present.  Each string has its own place, design, sound and purpose.  The Bible tells us that we are just as important as all of these strings.  In 1st Corinthians 12, Paul tells us that each member of Christ's church is like a member or part of the human body.  We can't all be eyes lest we have no feet to walk.  We cannot be all hands lest we do not have ears to hear.  The verse that sums up what I am trying to say is verse 27, "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." The phrase, "members in particular," is so vastly important for Christians to understand.  We tend to compare ourselves to anyone we deem successful and/or spiritual.  The truth is, contrary to some opinion, there is no part of the body of believers more important than others.  When I think of someone "high" on the spiritual ladder, I think of two people...(there are many more)....Jacqueline Henderson (now with the Lord) and Dr. Billy Graham.  The two have nothing in common as far as ministry goes.  Jackie, as she was known, spent long hours every week keeping a little church decorated for every occasion so God's people would have a nice place to worship in.  Billy Graham has preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ to more people than any man in human history.   Jackie was responsible for making sure the bulletins were neatly displayed and the flowers were arranged nice on the communion table.  Billy Graham has possibly more than several million souls that he has won to Christ.  Doesn't seem to be much similarity between the two, the choice of who is more important in the kingdom should be obvious, but it isn't.  

The fact is both are of equal importance.  The body of Christ cannot function without behind the scenes souls like Jackie, nor can it spread the Good News without those like Billy Graham.  In God's eyes both are dear and equally important.  Would God bless a hard working, eloquent speaker, and then forget the hard work an unknown servant does?  Never.  Perhaps you serve in a small ministry.  Maybe no one but God knows what you do.  Maybe no one ever thanks you or recognizes what you do.  Take cheer, its hard, but you haven't seen the Master yet.  Nor do you know of the rewards He has for those who truly do things for His glory only.  

Know this, no piano plays correctly without all its strings.  Whether you're a tiny short high string, or a deep sounding bass note, God is depending on your faithfulness and its He who is conducting the concerto.

Dinner Plate Theology

Recently I had the opportunity to share in a church sponsored meal and service for a local Men's Shelter.  The experience is good for all who attends and helps.  My observation as I was eating with the men is that most of them are transient (moving around a lot), some being from as close as Ohio, some from as far as Texas.  They didn't talk a lot as they were filling and refilling their plates with the food prepared, so I didn't initially get to talk to them.  Watching them eat however spoke volumes.  Not that any were sloppy or ill mannered, but by their appetites and appreciative "thank you's."  We had hoped all would stay for the chapel service to follow, but most went on their way after the serving hour.  Yet their needs were met.

It reminds me of the occasion when Jesus was sitting on the shore waiting for His disciples to return from a fishing trip.  The disciples were like many of these men-- tired, worn down by life, discouraged, and hungry.  When they arrived on shore, Jesus had a fire going and had some fish cooked and ready to eat.  He let them eat first and then talked to them.  In life, we as preachers and teachers of God's Word tend to "corral" people to hear the Gospel without addressing the physical needs first.  Of course the Gospel is the most important thing anyone will ever encounter, but kindness and the literal meeting of a literal need done in the right spirit boosts far greater reception to the message of Christ. This is more effective than a somewhat forced lecture about issues that aren't shouting to them as loudly as the emptiness of their stomachs.  

I mentioned that not all who were served stayed around to hear the Gospel after they were fed.  Was it all a waste of time? No. One thing we learn in being like the Master that the act of kindness will stick longer in the mind than  the words of the preacher.  That act will remind them of Christ and His love and will hopefully spur them on to know the One who feeds us and the same one who saves us.  Both needs important, both answered as Christ sees fit.

Lifetime Eraser

One of those Elementary School memories I have is the new eraser I would usually get before every school year. One year I was particularly proficient in missing the answer to practically every math problem thrown at me, so my dad in his wit bought me this jumbo eraser that was about the size of a Hershey bar. I did use it, but didn't wear it down to a small size. Still the application is this, when we mess up in life we tend to measure it. For example we think that a child caught stealing a piece of candy is a small problem that can be easily corrected. But contrasted to an adult who has lead a drug filled life, had one or two affairs, or has messed up in some "large" way may never be corrected or in fact will be consigned to the guilt of his or her actions. So we think. The fact is that no matter what we have done, there is no such thing as a small sin or a large one. We can be sure though that God needs no size chart for the eraser to forgive us our problems. Did you know that God can even do that---erase your guilt? He can and with only a single loving stroke. The Bible says in Psalm 103:12 that our transgressions are removed as far as east is from west, in other words, in directions that never meet again. The Apostle John tells us in his first book that when we come to Christ in confession, Christ will unquestionably, unreservedly, undoubtedly, and unashamedly pardon us as if we never committed the sin. Such a loving eraser in our Father's eyes is called Grace, and the vehicle of Grace this eraser is held in a hand called Mercy. It is true its Grace that pardons the sin, but its Mercy that commands the Eraser.

My friend whatever is in your past. What could conceivably be in your future, and that which plagues you in this hour can be resolved and wiped away with the Eraser of Grace. No sin too great, no thought too dark that He does not delight to say, "Let me erase that and set you free." He is willing to take you as you are...will you be free?

The Shore Lights

Have you ever been in a violent storm?  Perhaps you have been in a boat on the sea at night.  You are trying to find safe harbor and then you see the Lighthouse and the direction you're to travel towards is sure, but making it there may be a little treacherous.  On the coastline there will be sharp coral barriers and sandbars that may run your ship aground.  You could avoid these traps if you could see them.  Life is just like what I described.  The Lighthouse shining the beam of hope to spiritual fulfillment is God's Son Jesus Christ.   But those of us who know Christ already are to be on the shore to help light the way to the Light.  I remember when I was very young, my dad's small fishing boat had lights mounted on the front of the boat pointing down into the dark water at night.  These lights would reveal rocks, hidden tree limbs and such that would potentially capsize the boat.  Christians are to be these lights to extend a friendly hand, a kind warning voice, a signal flare to those lost in the sea of life trying to find hope and help in their lives.  Hymn writer Phillip P. Bliss put this analogy to words in the Hymn, "Let The Lower Lights Be Burning."  He reminded us the true source of salvation and hope is God the Father, but "to us He gives the keeping of the lights along the shore."  Let's actively work together to be instruments of God's Light to help pull others to safety from the reefs of sin to the Savior.