Not long ago there was a “Touch A Truck” event in town. This is every kids dream—the opportunity to see big trucks and tractors; get inside the cabs and put your hands on the wheel. We took Beau and it did not disappoint. It really doesn’t matter what vehicle we came across, they were all cool to him! He got to pull levers and hit buttons. He climbed inside and looked out windows from high off the ground (for a 3 year old). There were sirens to turn on and lifts that went up and down. He was one happy kid.
On the way out, he saw a police motorcycle. His eyes were huge. We asked him if he wanted to get on and he thrust his hands upward. He was ready. Ready to drive? No, but this was a first step in discovery, in learning what it’s like to take hold of something greater than his toys. In reality, that motorcycle swallowed him up. But with enough time and maturity he could handle it.
“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 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.” —Ephesians 4.11–16 NIV
As Christians, it’s important to practice our faith and become proficient in our talents. We discover our gifts and graces through our involvement in the Church—the body of Christ. As a preacher, I look back and remember my own fascination with the men who stood boldly to proclaim, teach, and lead. Those experiences have served me well in accepting my own call to preach.
Will Beau grow to love motorcycles or become a police officer? I’m not sure, but his joy in wearing the helmet and sitting on that massive machine is a path to discovery. He’ll have a better understanding through this and other experiences.
The challenge extended to you is this: try on the helmet and sit on the motorcycle like young Beau, seeing what opportunities there are in the church. You’ll either learn more about it or discover your own calling!
—Pastor Whit