A Well Running Line

A group of us got together to serve our community by putting together pre-packaged meals for area food banks and homeless shelters. The group of people that I was teamed up with was comprised of a great variety of ages, sizes and abilities. The youngest on our team was only six years old. On the other end of the spectrum (of which I am much closer) there were some retirees. The heights varied from barely able to reach the equipment to one gentleman who towered over the rest of us. Young teens and young adults of varying sizes brought up the rest of the group. There were several skin tones represented in our group as well. And the ability levels of each were as varied as the other characteristics of each individual.

The serving line was set up well. There were bags to open with prepackaged ingredients to put inside. Then there were several dry ingredients to be added to the bag. These ingredients were added through a funnel. The scoops which measured the different ingredients varied in size and shape. Once the bags were filled they were handed down to two of our teens who weighed them on small scales. They added or deleted just the right amounts of ingredients to bring the perfect weight for each package. From the scales the bags were sealed, labeled and then put into cases. These cases were stacked to be ready to ship to the proper destinations.

Each person worked happily and we chatted with each other as we worked. Everyone was focused on fulfilling their task to the best of their ability. When one position got a little behind, another person stepped in to help. As new people came to assist, those of us who knew the process quickly gave instructions so the transition was smooth. In addition there were others whose responsibilities were to refill the bins from which we were getting the product. As everyone worked fulfilling their own task the line ran smoothly.

As I glanced on the line and saw just how well everyone was paying attention to their particular task, I thought of how absurd it would be if we were jealous of each other. The scoop I was working with was round and deep. The gentleman next to me was using a wider, shallow cup that had a pour spout on it. Each tool was suited to the ingredient that we were placing into the final product. Had either of us chosen to use the other person’s scoop instead of the correct one, the proportions would have been all mixed up and the meal not tasted as it should when the recipient cooked it. Had a young men weighing the packages demanded to be first in line there would have been nothing to weigh as the ingredients were not yet in the bag. On and on each change would have completely undermined the process. The result would have been that these worthy charities would not have received this valuable donation.

Why then do we often look at others within the body of Christ and envy the position or task that God has given them? We must trust that God knows exactly what is best for each individual and where each of us is best suited to serve at a given moment. ^“For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.” (Jeremiah 29:11 AMP) One person is not more important than another, nor one job more important than another. “For God shows no partiality [undue favor or unfairness; with Him one man is not different from another].” (Romans 2:11 AMP) Yet so often we allow envy and strife enter. “You are jealous and covet [what others have] and your desires go unfulfilled; [so] you become murderers. [To hate is to murder as far as your hearts are concerned.] You burn with envy and anger and are not able to obtain [the gratification, the contentment, and the happiness that you seek], so you fight and war. You do not have, because you do not ask.” (James 4:2 AMP) These attitudes grieve the heart of God and cause us all harm.

The apostle Paul pleads with us to support each other.  “But I urge and entreat you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in perfect harmony and full agreement in what you say, and that there be no dissensions or factions or divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in your common understanding and in your opinions and judgments.” (1 Corinthians 1:10 AMP) Not only are we to agree on the teachings of Christ, but also in our service to Him. This agreement brings joy to our leaders and our Lord. “Fill up and complete my joy by living in harmony and being of the same mind and one in purpose, having the same love, being in full accord and of one harmonious mind and intention.” (Philippians 2:2 AMP). The way to bring this joy is, “Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves]. Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4 AMP)

 As we served side by side filling bags of food for hungry people, we can also serve side by side to serve a world that is hungry for God. Serve today.