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Playing Your Part

Playing Your Part

A Devotional Thought

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:14-20 (NIV)

“For the body is not one member, but 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 stop being 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 stop being 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? But in fact, God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.”

Reflection

In the recent 2024 Paris Olympic Summer Games, the U.S. men’s gymnastics team demonstrated the power of playing one’s part and using one’s gifts to achieve a collective goal. Entering the competition, the team was not expected to medal, qualifying in fifth place. However, they persevered and made history by securing the bronze medal, their first team medal since 2008.

A significant contributor to this success was Stephen Nedoroscik, a specialist on the pommel horse. Nedoroscik didn’t make Team USA because of his abilities on the vault, the rings, the parallel bar, the high bar or in the floor routine. He was selected for one reason — because he’s the best at doing one thing — performing on the pommel horse.

As the team faced their final rotation, sitting in bronze-medal position, Nedoroscik performed a nearly flawless routine, earning the team’s highest score and ensuring their place on the podium.

Nedoroscik became quickly recognized during this year’s Olympic Games — but not solely for his gymnastics routine. He was recognized for his distinct look and his black glasses. Much like Clark Kent taking off his glasses before transforming into Superman, so also Nedoroscik removes his glasses before approaching the Pommel Horse.

He has since revealed the primary reason for his glasses — noting that he has strabismus, an abnormal alignment of the eye (forcing him to squint in order to see). Most describe this condition simply as being crossed eyed. Even so, after pulling off his glasses during his approach, he then proceeded to pull off one of the most outstanding routines of Olympic history.

This story mirrors the message in 1 Corinthians 12:14-20, where Paul emphasizes the importance of every member of the body of Christ using their unique gifts for the common good. Just as Nedoroscik’s specialized skill on the pommel horse was crucial to the team’s success, each of us has a role to play in God’s kingdom.

No part of the body can say it is not needed. Each one of us, with our distinct talents and abilities, contributes to the health and effectiveness of the body of Christ. When we recognize and embrace our unique gifts, we honor God and build up His church.

Stephen Nedoroscik didn’t perform in isolation; his efforts were part of a larger team effort. Similarly, our gifts are meant to complement those of others, working together to fulfill God’s purposes. When we play our part faithfully, we help the entire body to function properly and to glorify God.

Let us be encouraged to identify our gifts and use them diligently, knowing that even the smallest contribution can make a significant difference. Like the U.S. gymnastics team, when we come together, each doing our part, we can achieve remarkable outcomes for God’s glory.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the unique gifts and talents You have given each of us. Help us to recognize and embrace our roles within the body of Christ. May we use our abilities to serve others and bring glory to Your name. Teach us to appreciate the contributions of others and to work together in unity for Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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Small Changes — Big Results!

Small Changes — Big Results!

Recently a received an email from one of my former professors. In his email, he was addressing an area of ministry that is often overlooked — sort of just taken for granted. His email encouraged me to give attention to this area and to recognize how small changes have the potential of making huge impacts. Within his email he told a story of a famous preacher named Charles Lowery. He noted how Lowery once shared an insightful story about an entrepreneur named Jack Eckerd. Eckerd was the founder of the Eckerd Drug store chain. He was an innovative businessman known for his hands-on approach to business. Eckerd spent a significant amount of time in his stores, engaging with employees and customers, where he too discovered how small changes can sometime have the greatest impact. He referred to this as “The Lesson of the Red Rubber Balls.”

One day, Eckerd noticed that a display of big red rubber balls was fully stocked; they were not selling at all. When he asked his top-level management about this issue, they were clueless. (This highlights how top-level executives often lack insight into ground-level problems.) Eckerd then turned to one of the clerks for her opinion.

The clerk immediately pointed out something obvious: children, who were the primary buyers of these red rubber balls, could not see them as they were displayed on the top shelf, out of their reach. Upon moving the balls to a lower shelf, they quickly sold out. This story exemplifies how small adjustments can lead to significant results.

Reflect on your ministry or local church. Are there minor changes that could make resources more accessible to your congregation or make ministry team members more available to those who need them most? Could small tweaks improve the flow of services or enhance the experience for guests? Consider what “red rubber balls” might be out of reach in your ministry. What small changes could you implement to make a big difference?