Be the 6th person.
Theme: Be the 6th person!
Verse: "But in fact, God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body." — 1 Corinthians 12:18-20
This season, a high school from Jefferson County, Missouri (where I grew up), accomplished something pretty special: both the boys' and girls' cross-country teams won their respective state championships. While this isn't unprecedented, it was the first time it had happened in 15 years.
The girls won their title by "running" away with it (pun intended!). But what makes this story particularly worthy of a devotional is the way the boys' team captured its championship.
You see, the Herculaneum High School boys actually tied another school under the traditional scoring system, which counts the top five finishers from each team. So, the sixth-place finisher from each school literally determined who would become state champion!
This is a great reminder of the importance of giving your best effort, even when your role may seem insignificant or go unnoticed. My guess is that this particular runner probably finished sixth on his team in just about every meet throughout the season. His performance may never have factored into the final team score.
UNTIL THIS DAY!
Our running group on the outskirts of Tampa is made up of runners of all different stripes. We range in age from 25 to well into the senior-citizen zone. One of the things I love most about this group is how we support one another through the physical and mental challenges of training for our next event. We all have something to contribute to the success of the group.
One recent example involves our youngest member, Lily, who has been preparing for a half marathon taking place this Sunday. Over the past several weeks, she has diligently increased her mileage, working her way up to 12 miles in preparation for the race.
One of our members, Cathy, has played an instrumental role in that training. Not by running alongside Lily, but by contributing in another very important way.
Cathy's house is conveniently located along one of our common running routes. She graciously allowed us to use her flower-bed structure (and occasionally a couple of folding chairs!) as a makeshift hydration station during our longer training runs. This gave those of us helping Lily prepare an opportunity to grab some water, take a quick breather, and keep going.
When we think about the Bible, major figures like Moses, David, and Paul often dominate our attention. However, Scripture also highlights many lesser-known individuals whose courage, faith, and obedience played significant roles in God's unfolding plan.
Here are just a couple of examples:
Ruth lived a remarkable life of loyalty and redemption. After the deaths of their husbands, she chose to remain with her mother-in-law, Naomi, rather than return to her own people. Her faithfulness and commitment eventually led to her becoming part of the family line of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ. Ruth's story reminds us that acts of love and faithfulness can have an impact far beyond what we might ever imagine.
Barnabas was another important figure in the early Christian church. His encouragement and support helped open the door for Paul's ministry. Barnabas recognized Paul's potential when others were still uncertain about him. His willingness to encourage, mentor, and stand alongside others helped advance the spread of the Gospel. It's a role that is incredibly important, yet often undervalued.
Like these unsung biblical heroes, Cathy is our group's "6th person." She may not be logging the miles or crossing the finish line, but her willingness to contribute makes the training possible. Because of her generosity and support, Lily is ready to go and, I'm sure, will ROCK the race!
The lesson is simple: Never underestimate the importance of your contribution. You may not always be the person in the spotlight, and you may not even realize the difference you're making. But God can use your willingness to serve, encourage, and support others in ways you may never fully appreciate.
Sometimes, being the 6th person makes all the difference!
Have a GREAT week!