PERFECTING
A LITTLE SWITCH

Topics: Church; Community; Influence; Ministry; Service; Small Things; Teamwork

References: Mark 12:41–44; Ephesians 4:16; Colossians 3:23–25

I was asked to speak at the funeral of a man who had helped develop the Boeing 747 aircraft. After the service I spoke with the widow and commented on what a remarkable thing her late husband had done.

“The truth is, he worked on a little switchbox smaller than a loaf of bread,” she said. “That’s all he worked on for fifteen years. But when that 747 lifted off the ground for the first time, it was the happiest day of his life.”

He worked on a tiny switchbox for more than a decade, yet the Boeing 747 couldn’t have lifted off without this man’s contribution. Often we think our seemingly small efforts aren’t very important. But when the great kingdom of God “lifts off,” we’ll be thrilled to find out that our efforts were essential.

—M. Craig Barnes, in a sermon delivered at Christianity Today International (September 19, 2000)