The Toe-Tapper

One day a wise man came to a small town. He needed a place to stay so he went to the first church he found. Inside, a small group of people argued about how they could best please God.

'I'll help you,' the man said, 'but you must promise to use what I give you to glorify God.'

'Oh, we will,' the people assured him. 'We will.'

He gave each of them gifts--one was to be a pianist, another a flutist. To one he gave a cello, to another a violin, and to yet another he gave the role of toe-tapper.

The people worked long and hard to prepare a song of praise for the church. The music became more and more beautiful.

One afternoon during practice the violinist said to the pianist, 'I'm so glad I have the important job of playing the violin. I'd sure hate to be only a toe-topper.' The toe-tapper was so hurt that he went home.

The next day, when the group met to practice, nothing came together right. Finally, the flutist said, 'Without that toe-tapper here I don't know when to come in for my part.' They started over time and time again, but the music sounded terrible.

It was then that the violinist spoke up in a very sad voice. 'I'm sorry. This is all my fault. I thought I was so important that I didn't need the help of the toe-tapper. I was wrong!'

So he led the way to the toe-tapper's house and asked him to come back with them. The toe-tapper agreed and once again the music was beautiful.

Then, one Sunday, they play their music in church. God looked down and smiled. I think He even winked at the toe-tapper.

~ Joan Sparks

God has a special position for each of His children. There is no one part that is more important than the other. Whether our job is to drive the church bus, to orchestrate the choir in the church service, or to preach the Gospel to the lost; our position must be looked at as a service unto the Lord and not something where we seek glorification.

Never give up in the area where God has called you, but rather to continue on and stay faithful in that task no matter how hard the enemy may try to discourage you. You are loved by the Lord greatly and only in heaven will you know the reward for being God’s faithful servant. (Jeremiah 31:3) (Matthew 25:21)

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

1 Corinthians 12:26-28 “And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.”

2 Timothy 4:6-8 “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

Hebrews 12:1-3 “let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.”