Articles: GET INVOLVED IN THE LIFE OF YOUR PARISH

1: Service

"Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.'" (1)

"Sir Michael Costa, the celebrated conductor, was holding a rehearsal. As the mighty chorus rang out, accompanied by scores of instruments, the piccolo player--a tiny pint-sized flute--thinking perhaps that his contribution would not be missed amid so much music, stopped playing. Suddenly, the great leader stopped and cried out, 'Where's the piccolo?'

"The sound of that one small instrument was necessary to the harmony, and the Master Conductor missed it when it dropped out. The point? To the Conductor there are no insignificant instruments in an orchestra. Sometimes the smallest and seemingly least important one can make the greatest contribution and even if it doesn't seem to make that big a difference to the audience at large, the conductor knows it right away!

"In the church, in life and in God's work on earth the players and the instruments are diverse--different sizes, different shapes, different notes, different roles to play. But like the piccolo player in Sir Michael's orchestra, we often in our own sovereignty decide that our contribution is not significant. Our contribution couldn't possibly make a difference. And so we quit playing. Stop doing that which we've been given to do. We drop out. But the Conductor immediately notices." (2)

From our perspective your and my contribution may be small, but from God's viewpoint it is critical. So, whatever you do, don't bury your piccolo (talent) but put it to use in service for the Lord remembering that we serve God by serving people and doing it in Jesus' name.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you for the gift/s you have given to me and for the part you have given me to play as you orchestrate your plan for the world in which I live. Help me to play my part diligently, faithfully, and to the best of my ability always for your glory and the benefit of others. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus name, amen."

1. Matthew 25:24-25 (NIV).
2. Adapted from Richard Love, Sermon: "Blowing Your Horn," Memphis: Sermon Illustrations, 1999. Cited on www.eSermons.com

From 'Daily Encounter' ~ Tuesday, May 5, 2009 When copying or forwarding include the following: By Richard Innes. Published and Copyright (c) 2009 by ACTS International.l, www.actsweb.org a non-profit organization, and made possible through the donations of interested friends. ACTS International, P.O. Box 73545, San Clemente, California 92673-0119, U.S.A. Phone: 949-940-9050 Donations can be sent at: www.actscom.com

2: Lessons From Lego

From 'Weekend Encounter' ~ Friday Dec 9th 2016.
When copying or forwarding include the following: Copyright (c) Acts International, 2006. Subscribe at: www.actsweb.org/subscribe.php

"Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, 'Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,' it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, 'Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,' it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?" 1 Corinthians 12:14-17 (NIV).

Today's Daily Encounter Lego illustration is by Steve Klusmeyer who writes: "Life might be less complicated for all of us if we each received our own LEGO kit at birth. Yes, I realize there is a choking hazard for children under three. But when you are old enough, you can learn a lot from LEGOs. I have learned that:

"Size doesn't matter. When stepped on in the dark, a 2X2 LEGO brick causes the same amount of pain as a 2X8 brick.

"All LEGO men are created equal (1.5625 inches tall). What they become is limited only by imagination.

"There is strength in numbers. When the bricks stick together, great things can be accomplished.

"Playtime is important. Sometimes it doesn't matter what you are building, as long as you're having fun.

"Disaster happens. But the pieces can be put back together again.

"Every brick has a purpose. Some are made for a specific spot--most can adapt almost anywhere--but every one will fit somewhere.

"Color doesn't matter. A blue brick will fit in the same space as a red brick.

"No one is indispensable. If one brick is unavailable, another can take its place.

"It doesn't always turn out as planned. Sometimes it turns out better. If it doesn't, you can always try again." Steve Klusmeyer.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to remember that I have a part to play in your body, the Church, and that I am not any more or less important than any other member. Help me to play my part faithfully that my life will bring honour and glory to your name. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."