The UPPER ROOM Devotional 29th November 2023: The Fifth String
Read and Study Today’s The Upper Room Daily Devotional for November 28, 2023 Message written by Ric Lillard (Maryland, USA). God bless you as you study today! Please share with your friends and loved ones.
TODAY’S READING
1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 21-26
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Each of us is a member of Christ’s body, equipped by God to spread love and joy.
God has put the body together, giving 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 12:24-25 (NIV)
One Sunday I gave the children’s message during my church’s worship service. Since I enjoy playing the five-string banjo, I used it as an example of the church, the body of Christ. I showed the children that the banjo has five strings, but that the fifth string is much shorter than the others — just as they are shorter than the adults in our church. Also, the fifth string usually is not noted or fretted as often as the others, so it gets a little less attention — just as they, the children, may not get as much attention as the other members of the church.
But this doesn’t mean that they are any less important to the life of the church. I showed how that shorter, fifth string is tuned to the highest pitch of the five strings, which enables it to sound a bright, cheerful tone — without which any tune played would not be nearly as pleasing. I played a short tune without striking the fifth string and then the same tune using the fifth string. What a difference!
All members of the church are important in spreading the gospel message, as well as in the many other functions of being the church. The talents of all members, children included, should meld with others to spread the love and joy that Christ gives to everyone.
TODAY’S PRAYER
O God, keep us mindful that we are all vital to you and your work on earth. We pray and serve in the name of Jesus. Amen.
PRAYER FOCUS
Children in my church
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