My two 2-year- old grandchildren were having a discussion this morning.  My daughter summed up the context of their debate.   Lexi was trying to convince Micah that trucks could say “choo-choo”.  Micah was countering that only trains could say “choo-choo”.  That sound was not for trucks, but reserved for trains.  After some friendly bantering, they both agreed to disagree and moved on to their next game of taking “pretend naps” on the floor.

I thought about this discussion and smiled at their imagination.  I could picture them and each of the trucks and trains in play, along with the corresponding sounds they would make while playing.  Some of these particular trucks have seen a lot of play and actually talk quite a lot.  This one drives me crazy sometimes, barking out “Caterpillar Power”  just when I think it is fast asleep in the toybox.  I can tend to personalize toys.  I still take care putting the baby dolls away.  I want them to be warm and comfortable 🙂

So, can a truck say “choo-choo”?   I suppose,… but I think it would be  better said by the train. We are each created with different strengths.   I’m often struck by how similar but different each one of us is. We each have specific  ways we can particularly and uniquely use our experiences and gifts.

I love God’s church and the way he puts all her parts together.  Like an orchestra, when each part is doing what it does best and is working together – the resulting harmony  is stunning.  Everyone is important, everyone is needed.  Our differences teach us how to honor one another.  We are not meant to function as a church of one.  God has put us together for a reason.  We need each other.  God has planned and designed for us to function together as a body, a family, a household…his church.  We are meant to love each other and belong to each other.

Romans 12:1, 3-10

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship…

    For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. [4] Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, [5] so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. [6] We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. [7] If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; [8] if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

    [9] Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. [10] Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Today I am so grateful for the ways I see those in the church around me devote themselves and offer themselves – to God’s service and to the service of “one another”.    Like the truck, I will likely do best when I “vroom, vroom” rather than “choo-choo.”  However, I desperately need the “choo-choos” surrounding me.  We all need each other’s uniqueness amidst our unity in conviction and purpose.   May we each wholeheartedly offer ourselves – and what we uniquely contribute to God’s church.