Friday, August 1, 2014

Got Your Pouty Face On?

 
 
I’m studying Numbers – rumored to be one of the most boring books in the Bible.
 

Actually, I think Leviticus might win that honor. I’ll tell you later – I’m reading it next.
 

Surprisingly, I found a few gems in Numbers.


I know, shocked me, too.
 

I never thought about this too much but, every time Israel packed up to move during their time in the desert, they had to pack up the Tabernacle, too.
 

As you might imagine, this was a kind of complicated process. 
 

It took bunches of men from three different families to get it done.


Here you are in a nutshell, straight from Chapter 3:
 
(Don't worry - I'm not going to bore you.)


The Kohaths got to pack up the ark and all the other holy things and carry them to the next place.
 

The Gershons loaded up the tent itself, with all its curtains and doors. Don’t you know that was a bundle!
 

The Meraris were responsible for all the support stuff – poles, bars, pillars, sockets. All the stuff that kept the Tabernacle from falling down,
 

Now, I think I can safely say that the Israelites were a whiney, jealous people. I’m kind of veering away from Scripture here but I don’t think I’m too far off the path.
 

Can’t you just hear the Gershons
 

"Why do the Kohaths get to carry the ark? All we get are these heavy curtains!" (Insert pouty face.)
 

How about the Meraris?
 

"All the other guys get to carry cool things. We’re stuck carrying a bunch of poles. (More pouting)


Do you think the Kohaths were a bit puffed up?
 

We all get a good laugh out of that until we look in the mirror.
 

We see a little pride and whining staring back at us.
  
  • Singing in the choir
  • Helping to take up the offering
  • Teaching a class
  • Rocking babies in the nursery.

These are the cool jobs.
 
  
  • But who wants to stand by the copier and watch it spit out tons of church bulletins?
  • What about going to each classroom and making sure the chairs and tables are where they should be?
  • Getting to church early on Sunday to make coffee.
  • Checking to see if there are Bibles and hymnals (if you use them) in the pews.
  • Putting a bottle of water by the podium for the pastor.
 
 No one notices these things unless they’re NOT done.
(Especially the coffee.)
 
 Let’s face it guys.
 

Where would the ark go if no one carried the coverings?

 How would the coverings work with no poles to hold them up?
 
 Tons of jobs.
 
 Each one equally important.
 

Does that sound familiar?
 
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 arranged 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.
1 Corinthians 12:17-20
 
So, let’s get up and see where we are needed.
 
 There’s no such thing as unimportant work in the body of Christ!
 
 
 
Look around your church, office, or school. What are the "non-cool" jobs?
How can you help?  

2 comments:

  1. Well said Sherry - thanks for the reminder! Leah

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    Replies
    1. As usual, I was speaking to myself! Thanks for commenting, dear!

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