Day Two Hundred Ninety-Seven “Churning”
It wasn’t a trip to Disney World, an exotic cruise, a week at the beach, but it was memorable fun! One tradition we held close to our hearts when our children were little ones was hand-churning ice cream. As youngsters, our children lacked the muscular endurance, patience, and any capacity to understand the chemistry involved in that ice cream process, but with bowl and spoon in hand, they certainly looked forward to the finished product. As salt melts the ice, the heat of fusion allows the ice to absorb heat from the ice cream mixture, which freezes the ice cream. Who cares! Churning ice cream was a family affair, a group effort that proved that if you work hard, take turns, wait patiently, something good comes from the effort. But eat it quickly-that home-made ice cream melts in the blink of an eye!
Churning that ancient ice cream churn was a responsibility that all of us, as a family, shared. When one was wearied, another took over, all under the supervision of a knowledgeable daddy. Jesus gave us the perfect example of teamwork. Although He was the Son of God, this One, Who could calm the sea, raise the dead, heal the sick, loose the demon-possessed, forgive sin, and had “legions of angels” at His disposal, enlisted a team of men, a rag tag motley group of commoners, and converted them into “fishers of men.” These men, who were at times impulsive, temperamental, self-serving, easily offended, and openly prejudicial, would be taught teamwork by the Master. He saw their potential, and after His ascension, that team would “Go…and teach all nations.”
Regardless of your age, position, financial status, or personality, if you are a born-again child of God, you are on the team, and your contribution is essential. Solomon wisely reminds us that “two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow, but woe to him that is alone when he falleth.” Workers in our local churches are subject to burn out, weariness, discouragement, and often fresh arm muscle is needed. The ice cream process works; labor with diligence, take turns, wait patiently…and enjoy the finished product: the spread of the gospel, the salvation of souls, the growth of believers, and the fellowship of the saints. It will be sweet!
I Corinthians 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.
Lord, help me to be willing to be a diligent part of that team of workers enlisted by You to spread the Gospel to all the world.
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