Many years ago I had just graduated from UCLA and came home to get a job before I started grad school. I couldn't find a job anywhere that summer and a younger friend got me on with a group of college guys working as maintenance men refurbishing elementary schools. I went to my assigned school and the head custodian was an older man who was of Chinese descent and his assistant was a Filipino named Thomas, who had served in the U.S. Navy. I arrived and introduced myself and the head guy, Mr. Yick, told me that we always drink coffee first and then we all go out and set sprinklers. I told him thank you but that I didn't drink coffee. Mr. Yick looked at me and said nothing and I just watched them have coffee and then we all went out to set sprinklers and began our work day. The next day arrived and Mr. Yick said "We always drink coffee first and the we all go out and set sprinklers." I politely said “Thank you, I just don't
drink coffee." Mr. Yick said “Ok...we drink coffee...you go set sprinklers!" And I did... by myself. The next day, I came in and Mr. Yick said "We drink coffee first and then we all go out and set sprinklers." I said “Mr. Yick, I would love to join you and Thomas in having a cup of coffee!" He said "Good...then we all go out and set sprinklers." I became a part of the team that day. The Bible tells us that when we become followers of this Jesus of the Bible, we become a part of the body. We each are different and have different gifts that God gives us. But we are a team, we are the body of Christ together. When I think back on that summer I think about how there are times when we can choose to be separate or to commit to being together as believers. God wants us to work together and to care for each other and share the hurts that others feel. And if need be to get out of your comfort zone to stand with your fellow teammates. Followers of Jesus are the body of Christ. Each one of us is a part of his body. And we make the choice to join in with others and share time, experience and work with each other. And if you're offered a cup of coffee...consider grabbing a cup and take a sip or two with that person who is a part of the body of Christ with you! Here's our Bible verse for today...
1 Corinthians 12:24-27 God put our bodies together in such a way that even the parts that seem the least important are valuable. (25) He did this to make all parts of the body work together smoothly, with each part caring about the others. (26) If one part of our body hurts, we hurt all over. If one part of our body is honored, the whole body will be happy. (27) Together you are the body of Christ. Each one of you is part of his body.
Remember I'm praying for you,
PJ
drink coffee." Mr. Yick said “Ok...we drink coffee...you go set sprinklers!" And I did... by myself. The next day, I came in and Mr. Yick said "We drink coffee first and then we all go out and set sprinklers." I said “Mr. Yick, I would love to join you and Thomas in having a cup of coffee!" He said "Good...then we all go out and set sprinklers." I became a part of the team that day. The Bible tells us that when we become followers of this Jesus of the Bible, we become a part of the body. We each are different and have different gifts that God gives us. But we are a team, we are the body of Christ together. When I think back on that summer I think about how there are times when we can choose to be separate or to commit to being together as believers. God wants us to work together and to care for each other and share the hurts that others feel. And if need be to get out of your comfort zone to stand with your fellow teammates. Followers of Jesus are the body of Christ. Each one of us is a part of his body. And we make the choice to join in with others and share time, experience and work with each other. And if you're offered a cup of coffee...consider grabbing a cup and take a sip or two with that person who is a part of the body of Christ with you! Here's our Bible verse for today...
1 Corinthians 12:24-27 God put our bodies together in such a way that even the parts that seem the least important are valuable. (25) He did this to make all parts of the body work together smoothly, with each part caring about the others. (26) If one part of our body hurts, we hurt all over. If one part of our body is honored, the whole body will be happy. (27) Together you are the body of Christ. Each one of you is part of his body.
Remember I'm praying for you,
PJ