Most of us grew up playing board games. Candyland, Chutes and Ladders and Pop-O-Matic Trouble were my sister’s favorite. As we grew older, we graduated to more sophisticated games like Connect Four and Hungry Hungry Hippos. That is, until our mom had to take them away because our competitive natures would cause more fights than fun! Later on, one of our favorites became Jenga! This is the game where you have a stack of wooden blocks sitting on top of each other in a tall tower. Each player takes a turn to remove one block from the tower and place it on top or set it to the side, without knocking the remaining tower over. It's a great game of skill, precision and suspense. Lots of great trash talk at our house was developed over this one game!
As I look back on those games we played as children, they have a lot of application today. Take Jenga for example. As we play through the game you begin to realize that each block has a significate role in one way or another in support of the tower. You have to be strategic in your moves, as you think that one block would not make much of a difference until it is removed and your sister is now laughing at your dumb luck. The game is similar to the “blocks” that it takes to build a strong church! The Lord gives us each specific gifts and abilities to support the tower. When we remove them, the whole tower is in danger of collapse. When we all work together, to builds each other up and we make something strong and enduring.
Satan likes to lie to us and trick us into believing that the part we have to play is not needed or unnecessary. However, that is not what the Bible has to say. Ephesians 4:16 tells us: From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
We know what it would be like if the preacher didn’t show up one Sunday (at least he hopes you do) or if the doors were to be locked and the building dark when you arrive. Those are obvious, but think about the “blocks” that sometimes go unnoticed. What would it be like on Sunday if the coffee was not made on time? How about the air condition not being on? Where do the bulletins come from or how do those donuts get back there on Fellowship Sunday? Does anyone vacuum the carpet or change out the paper towels and soap dispensers in the bathroom? Trust me, if any of those things are missing it can be worse than not singing Amazing Grace once a quarter.
In all seriousness, we all play an important part in building God's kingdom. If your piece of the tower is simply coming in with a good attitude, you play an important role. Proverbs 15:13 tells us "A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit." Both facial expressions are contagious, just one more so than the other. What is your heart telling you today? God wants to use your piece of the tower in a constructive way. Don’t downplay your involvement in all the things necessary in building a sturdy church tower, or the impact of the lack thereof!
Serving the Savior,
Bro. Jonathan
As I look back on those games we played as children, they have a lot of application today. Take Jenga for example. As we play through the game you begin to realize that each block has a significate role in one way or another in support of the tower. You have to be strategic in your moves, as you think that one block would not make much of a difference until it is removed and your sister is now laughing at your dumb luck. The game is similar to the “blocks” that it takes to build a strong church! The Lord gives us each specific gifts and abilities to support the tower. When we remove them, the whole tower is in danger of collapse. When we all work together, to builds each other up and we make something strong and enduring.
Satan likes to lie to us and trick us into believing that the part we have to play is not needed or unnecessary. However, that is not what the Bible has to say. Ephesians 4:16 tells us: From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
We know what it would be like if the preacher didn’t show up one Sunday (at least he hopes you do) or if the doors were to be locked and the building dark when you arrive. Those are obvious, but think about the “blocks” that sometimes go unnoticed. What would it be like on Sunday if the coffee was not made on time? How about the air condition not being on? Where do the bulletins come from or how do those donuts get back there on Fellowship Sunday? Does anyone vacuum the carpet or change out the paper towels and soap dispensers in the bathroom? Trust me, if any of those things are missing it can be worse than not singing Amazing Grace once a quarter.
In all seriousness, we all play an important part in building God's kingdom. If your piece of the tower is simply coming in with a good attitude, you play an important role. Proverbs 15:13 tells us "A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit." Both facial expressions are contagious, just one more so than the other. What is your heart telling you today? God wants to use your piece of the tower in a constructive way. Don’t downplay your involvement in all the things necessary in building a sturdy church tower, or the impact of the lack thereof!
Serving the Savior,
Bro. Jonathan
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