I was blessed to participate in the Harare Regional Conference in Zimbabwe. I saw the body in action, using all their gifts.
Some preached the Word.
Choirs sang and led others in worship.
We saw the gift of evangelism.
An offering was taken and those with the gift of giving gave what they could.
Those gifted with business minds counted the money and allocated the money given.
Teachers taught the children Bible stories.
Then I came across these servants of God. While the main Sunday service was taking place and many were exercising their gifts, these men were doing what they felt called to. They were cleaning the 'toilets' and outhouses. Believe me, it couldn't have been a fun job with that many people. Yet they were proud of their job. They were so proud they asked me to take their picture!
They did not desire the 'more honorable' gifts nor say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body." (1 Corinthians 12:16) Rather they served with humility and joy. To me, these men represented Christ more than anyone that day!
The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" and the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you." On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor.....while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other." 1 Corinthians 12:21-25
So glad you shared this.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this pics- made my morning!
ReplyDeleteSo true! We need all the body of Christ - those with "seen" ministries and those with "unseen."
ReplyDeleteAlso, we all need to be willing if God calls us to an "unseen" ministry.
To my mind, the prayer warriors are the ones most needed!
Jerralea, That is so true. And they are the most unseen!
DeleteShanda...I love this...I love that they had suits...smiles and gloves on...to truly see how God "measures" and how we measure...we might be really surprised one day:) blessings~
ReplyDeleteThey were cute...all in the Sunday best! The smiles were what impressed me the most!
DeleteWhat an honor to clean toilets for the glory of God. This is something I can do every day at home - help me remember that Lord!
ReplyDeleteOh Shannon....I need to remember that as well....and do it more often!
Deletewonderful. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi Shanda - God in action through people. So good
ReplyDeleteGod bless my friend
Tracy
These two men are true servants of God!!!!!
ReplyDeleteLook at how many people are seeking! And no one forced them to be there.
ReplyDeleteI loved the dancing. :)
The dancing was incredible. No place like Africa for that!
DeleteThank you for joining with us in telling your story.
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Such a wonderful group of willing workers each using their gift for the Lord.
I, too, loved the dancing in Africa. I lived in the Ivory Coast for two years, just down the street from a big hotel where dancers would come in from all around when someone important was coming. I could hear the drums, and I would run down the street to watch all the dancers. So exciting!
ReplyDeleteGalen,
DeleteIt is exciting. Even though I grew up in Africa, I still never tire of watching!
This is beautiful. Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteThis was such a touching post Shanda- I can't thank you enough. The video made me smile and I enjoyed watching the celebration in that video as well as seeing the photos. Thank you for blessing me today with your words and experience that God gave you!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Nicole at Working Kansas Homemaker
Thanks for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteThis so makes me think of Matthew 6:1-4. Giving & serving so even our our left hand knows not what our right hand is doing. Oh, the blessed reward for humble servants. Thanks for sharing! Just LOVE your pics from Africa too! What a blessing!
ReplyDeleteI loved reading about this adventure. Thanks for sharing the event and the pictures. I love the scripture in Corthinians. All parts are needed. I also loved what the two men did to serve their brothers and sisters. You are so amazing and this post was heartfelt.
ReplyDeleteOur sermon last Sunday was on Spiritual Gifts. We do need the whole body, using the gifts God has bestowed upon them.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Joan
A great example of how the body works together to glorify Christ. When one part is missing the body of believer's knows it.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful people... :)
ReplyDeleteOh these photos. And that video. That VIDEO! I wanna worship there. Yessiree!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing in community. I love the vivid LIFE of this post.
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