Issue 1457 – The Team – May 25, 2024

Kathy and I caught a short documentary about dog sledding on a streaming channel last night.  We were disappointed when it turned out to be an anti-mining piece with some dog sledding thrown in. People are entitled to their perspectives, but it was a bait-and-switch situation.

Still, it was fun to watch and hear the dogs. It certainly brought to mind the years I was blessed to be involved with the training, running, and racing of sled dogs. It started with a single husky pup when I was in my very early teens, and at peak times, my family had over 100 dogs and pups.

Sled dogs love to work. There is no greater joy for them than being in a harness and pulling a sled. Their work ethic is incredible. God designed them to be hardy, outdoor living, working animals.

The dogs function as a team in every sense, each with its defined role. At the front is the lead dog (or dogs) whose function is to pay attention to the driver, heading their every command to go, stop, turn, change trails and more. They also have to be fast enough to stay ahead of the rest. They set the pace.

Closest to the sled are the wheel dogs. They are the anchor that keeps the team attached. Slightly stronger than the rest, they must be constantly vigilant about where the sled is.

In between are the team dogs, whose job is to provide the horsepower (dog power?). Depending on the team and situation, there can be anywhere from two to a dozen or more team dogs.

Each part of the team has its function and role. Without them, the team is weakened. Each dog is valued.

That is how the church was designed to function. There are different gifts and talents, but no one person is more important than another; all are needed for peak functionality. 

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. 2 Corinthian 12:13

Most Christians know that, but we often refuse to live it. I frequently hear comments like “I’ve done my time and don’t have to serve” or “I’m too young to serve.” How about the “I don’t have to go to church to be a Christian” copout? Or I cannot serve because I don’t know my gifts”?

The body needs us all. Some serve in clearly defined ministry roles, while others serve behind the scenes. All of us can serve by being there to listen to and love the rest of the body. We can serve by being present and being the one ministered to. We can encourage one another and pray. 

Everyone has a role to play. Those roles may change over time, but they are there for us. 

We were designed to serve the Lord and do it joyfully.

With the guidance of the Word and the power of the Spirit, let us humbly strive to do so.

Be blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV)