Core scripture: “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27).

Message: The body of Christ was at work this week at our church.  Vacation Bible School always provides the opportunity for members to step up, and I was blown away at how all of our church campuses embraced our theme: the Wonderworks Lab.  Being a Language Arts teacher, science isn’t really my thing, but I can pretend to be a crazy mad scientist.  Hence, I became the overly giddy mad scientist that did experiments via video for all the kids.  Complete with a frizzy blue wig, nerdy black glasses, and an authentic science lab coat from my teammate at work, Dr. Tanner was born.

Our VBS coordinator asked me to make a grand tour to all four campuses.  It was the perfect opportunity to see the body of Christ at work.  Detail-oriented people greeted kids and parents to check them in.  Volunteers, in tune with specific grade levels, corralled the kids into groups and led them through activities.  Talented actors performed skits on stage while techy people ran the lights and videos, doing the behind the scenes work.  A handful of charismatic singers cheerfully led the campers in worship.  Crafty people helped with crafts.  Artful chefs aided kids in eating snacks, and active people ran the kids through a gauntlet of games.  It was remarkable!

“The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:12).  It was not a one man show.  We all took up our roles passionately for a single purpose.  God’s purpose.  It reminded me of my brother Clay when he played football at West Point.  The Army football team had just defeated Air Force in Colorado Springs for the first time in forever, and my brother, a measly freshman, cheered his team from the stands.  Following the game, defensive lineman, C.W. Estes, climbed into the front row of the stands, pointed at the freshman football team, mostly scout players that played the role of glorified tackling dummies, and shouted, “You guys helped make this happen!”

It doesn’t matter how big or how small a job you do.  “In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary” (1 Corinthians 12:22).  Sure, Dr. Tanner was a tangible presence that the kids could see and talk to, but one experiment he did on video would not have been possible without Shay, an intern that practiced the experiment beforehand.  Her wisdom allowed Dr. Tanner to know exactly how to soap the edges of the bowl so the dry ice bubble formed perfectly.  And the close-up camera shot from our crafty cameraman, Kai, allowed the perfect angle to see the magic.  Two faces not seen on that screen had set up the scene perfectly to spread God’s love.

It is time we ask ourselves some important questions.  How can we further God’s kingdom?  How can we prove ourselves to be disciples worth multiplying?  For me, this week is all about getting quality time with my family before I journey off to Camp Cyokamo with our youth group next weekend.  And that begins this afternoon by taking my boys to the pool.  Maybe challenging them in a big splash contest off the diving board (which Daddy is sure to win!).  Whichever part of the body of Christ you are, function with passion and enthusiasm for the Lord, giving Him all the glory.

Challenge: Examine the gifts God has blessed you with, and brainstorm ideas on how you can use those gifts to further God’s kingdom.

Song to bring it home: “If We Are the Body” by Casting Crowns is quite convicting in challenging you to be the body of Christ.  Listen to it for inspiration.

Prayer: Lord, whichever part of the body I am, let me take on that role with pride.  May Your name be praised as we all work together for Your cause.  Amen.