“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)

“Dad, let me do it!”

It was the week before VBS, and it was a blazing hot day in the high 80’s and like 900% humidity…a real scorcher. The front flowerbed at the church desperately needed to be weeded and planted with summer flowers. Everyone was really busy and there were no volunteers available. Finding volunteers to take care of the church gardens and trim the bushes has always been a challenge, but I REALLY wanted that front garden to look sharp for the hundreds of non-churched families who would drive onto campus every day for Vacation Bible School. I was thinking about doing it myself, but I really needed to finish up the sermon.

“I can do it!”

So, off Justin went to gather the flowers and a shovel. I met him out at the front and helped him lay out the flowers and gave him some basic planting instructions. Then… I hovered.

After about 5 minutes, he ordered me, “Go back to your office and work on your sermon dad. I got this.”

“Ok,” I said tentatively and guiltily slunk back into the chill of the church air conditioning. I’ll come back out in a little while to see how you are doing.

After about 25 minutes, I went out to find him profusely sweating, bright red, but triumphant. The garden looked great. 

“Great job. I’m proud of you, son.”  

As a church, we’ve been talking a lot about Nehemiah and the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. For Nehemiah, and the people of God, it wasn’t just about brick and mortar…it was about God’s calling, teamwork, and vision. As we noted on Sunday, everyone contributed to the effort…priests, noblemen, slaves, construction workers, merchants, even perfume makers, and goldsmiths. Everyone found a place repairing the wall.

The same principles are found in the New Testament when Paul addresses the church at Corinth. “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” As a body, we all work together to accomplish the mission that God has for us together. We are Jesus’ hands and feet.

What is your place of service? It doesn’t have to be in an organized program of the church, but God has equipped you for service somewhere. God’s Kingdom advances through the simple acts of love performed by ordinary people like you and me. Little by little the wall gets built (or the garden gets planted), even through the efforts of a twelve year old boy.