I was rummaging through the boxes on our garage shelves, looking for some garden tools, when I came across a Tupperware basin full of miscellaneous car parts - hoses, fan belts, bearings, spark plugs. The “projects” they were intended to fix had long since found another owner. But being a chronic pack rat, I couldn’t bring myself to discard these still useable items. After all, some day a stranded motorist could knock on my door, and in a voice of desperation, ask if I just might have a slightly worn Bosch distributor cap for a ‘83 VW Jetta. Yes, sirree, I would be ready for just such an occasion.

My eyes landed on a brand new Fram oil filter, still in the original box. Its distinctive orange color lent a tasteful contrast to an otherwise drab collection of greasy black miscellanea. The function of an oil filter was pretty much revealed in its name; it removed any impurities that would otherwise infiltrate the innards of the engine and bring it to a literal grinding halt. Yes, this Fram filter I held in my hand was indeed a valuable gem.

Most people never see an oil filter because it is installed out of sight, in the lower regions of the motor. How like the illustration the Apostle Paul used in 1 Corinthians 12. The unseen parts of the body – like this unheralded oil filter – were actually more important to the health of the body than some of the more visible parts – like the flashy chrome hood ornament. Of course, a car, like a body, needs all kinds of components, not just an oil filter, to actually run. (Imagine lifting the hood and discovering the engine had morphed itself into a collection of filters of all shapes and sizes. Talk about weird. But I digress.)

Then I thought about this particular filter in my hand. It was shiny and clean, inside and out. It was useful. It was important, yea, necessary. But there was a problem. It was in my hand! Up to this point in time it had been on a shelf for maybe years. As long as it was not attached to an engine, it was not doing anybody any good.

The body of Christ – the Church – has been blessed with a lot of gifted “components”: teachers, helpers, encouragers, etc. But it’s not what a person can be doing that makes them valuable; it’s what they are doing. As James says (and I paraphrase), a person can talk about their faith all day long, but nothing is actually accomplished until they put their faith into action (James 2:17.)

I encourage you today to pray about where God wants you to make your contribution to the whole. Then step out in faith and get connected; it’s the only way we can move forward to fulfill God’s purpose for our fellowship. And if you need help “getting off the shelf,” give me a call. I’ve had experience with this sort of thing.

Blessings,

Pastor Dave