Grace and I had our very first experience on a cruise ship. Much of what we’d been told is generally true—the fun activities, the interesting places, and the food … lots of food. And many who share their experiences tend to focus on these high points. But that’s not what this reflection is about.
What caught my attention was how the various staff members of a cruise ship do their work: each doing his or her own specific task, doing it well, with a smile, and perhaps some passion and pride. I noticed how many of the same people did the same task every day. In the early mornings I took the time to walk around the track on the ship’s top deck and to watch the sunrise, I was greeted by the same person mopping the deck. I also noticed how every day there was someone cleaning the many windows all around the ship.
Gerardo was our main waiter for dinner. The first night he welcomed our group with gusto, introduced himself, and proceeded to get our names. Every night he provided excellent service. He engaged in friendly and even humorous banter. He clearly made the effort to remember our names, for every night he greeted each one of our group by name.
Some may dismiss all this as pretense. They probably do all that because they are expected and paid to do so. After all, they are staff in a cruise ship. “It’s what they do.” Perhaps. But the overall effect of such a consistent and unified approach toward fulfilling the mission of the cruise ship remains noteworthy.
This leads me to raise the question: How engaged are members of a church in the task of fulfilling their mission? Most are not paid. But all are under the lordship of Jesus Christ, for Christ is the head of the church. And the Lord has given his church a mission: make disciples (Matthew 28.18-20). Whether paid or not, every church member has a responsibility to do his part—willfully, joyfully, consistently, passionately and with pride. And every part contributes to the overall fulfillment of the church’s mission.
“You are Christ’s body—that’s who you are! You must never forget this. Only as you accept your part of that body does your “part” mean anything” (1 Corinthians 12.27 The Message). “As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love” (Ephesians 4.15–16 NLT).
If we truly are followers of Jesus, motivated by faith and love and gratitude, we will accomplish our task not because we are coerced but because that’s who we are. You are a disciple of Christ, “It’s what you do.”
—Keith Y. Jainga