A Parade. You Can Watch It Or March In It. 7/8/2016

Good Morning,

I am keeping with the theme of Christmas in July by drinking Door County White Christmas Coffee today. I wonder how many days it is until Christmas?

This last weekend several of our family members went to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to visit my Dad. The little town where he lives celebrated our Independence Day with a parade. Dad is a proud veteran and always marches in the parade. He still salutes the flag and counts the cadence as the veterans march.

One thing about parades that I have pondered for many years is this. There are two kinds of people at a parade. One type comes to watch the parade and enjoy what they see. The others want to entertain or honor others by marching in the parade wearing uniforms or grand costumes. Some people work tirelessly on their displays and mobile parade floats.

Not everyone can march in a parade or ride on a float. Someone has to watch the parade. But, I would recommend to everyone that they try being in a parade at least once in their lifetime.

Many people like to treat church attendance and ministry the same way. They show up on time, get comfortable and expect the "ministry parade" to throw some candy, play some music, preach a warm fuzzy message, and make sure the sun shines for them. They never answer the call to serve. There are many excuses. I don't know how! No time for this now! I will some day! I am not qualified.

I have been to parades where horses were used to pull circus wagons. As horses will do, these horses dropped a few road apples on the main street in my city. Later some people came by and cleaned up the mess. Have you ever wondered why churches have paid cleaning staff? Where are the volunteers? Most anyone is qualified to clean. But in the minds of many, that one special person named "Somebody Else" will do it.

Folks, when will you become that somebody else in your church and join the parade and use your talents or skills to further the work of the Kingdom of God?  We really have no excuses.

Romans 12New International Version (NIV)

A Living Sacrifice

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Humble Service in the Body of Christ

³ For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. ⁴ For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ⁵ so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ⁶ We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; ⁷ if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸ if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

The church is made of many members and everyone has a skill or talent. But many never get involved and use their talents. They are content to watch the parade. They never experience the thrill of serving the Lord by serving others.  I feel sorry for them.

So as for me an my house, we will serve the Lord!

Marty