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Our holiday in New Denver, B.C. last summer coincided with the Vacation Bible School at the little church we used to attend in that tiny village. Terry spent time golfing and birdwatching with his bird-expert friend. I happily volunteered to help each morning with the five-day programme at the church.

At first I sat back observing the action. So much was going on, and I wasn’t sure where I could fit in and be a help. Every adult seemed to have a job – craft leader, banjo player, games coordinator, registrar. Soon craft time rolled around. As is often the case, the children at the craft table needed more help than anticipated. White glue didn’t allow the beads and buttons they glued onto their cowboy vests to stay in position. Out came the glue gun, and I was in business! That was satisfying, but it only lasted a few minutes.

Every day I wielded that glue gun, as the children worked on a different craft needing gluing each day. Besides the glue gunning, I looked for other ways to be useful. This included helping children find the memory verse in their Bibles , sharpening pencil crayons, and sweeping the “corral” between craft and snack sessions. It didn’t seem like much to me, but at the end, the leader thanked me for “all my help”.

Serving as a helper reminded me of these verses: “David arranged for Asaph and his fellow Levites to serve regularly before the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant, doing whatever needed to be done each day.” (1 Chronicles 16:37 NLT)

The work of the Levites was to assist the priests, the descendants of Aaron, as they served at the house of the Lord.” (1 Chronicles 23:28 NLT) Their duties included looking after the courtyards, helping to perform the ceremonies of purification, taking charge of the sacred bread, and checking the weights and measures. In other words, the practical things.

In the New Testament, deacons were appointed in the early church to take care of day-to-day matters, like the distribution of food, allowing the apostles to focus on teaching and preaching (See Acts 6:1-7)

The bottom line is that background people are just as important as the ones on the frontlines with the visible, showy gifts of teaching or preaching. Without the support of the ones giving practical aid, they would be unable to do their jobs. When my husband and I helped a pastor start a Christian school in Slovakia, our family received mail from friends in Canada. One particular friend seemed to glorify our “wonderful mission”. I had to remind her how her ministry of writing a letter was important as well. Gratefully we received letters, with news from home. We would run to the door whenever we got a handful of mail. Letters encouraged us so much!

And so, under the supervision of the priests, the Levites watched over the Tabernacle and the Temple and faithfully carried out their duties of service at the house of the Lord.” (1 Chronicles 23:32 NLT)

The key to serving the Lord is faithfulness, whatever our job may be.

Alice Burnett
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada

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