The Journey

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them. …

Romans 12:4-6a

Do you believe in Superman? Every time I go to Junaluska I find there are a lot of clergy up there who really believe they are supermen. But there are also a lot of laity who really are supermen and superwomen. These super people usually fall under the category of UMM or UMW or even UMYF.

Well, I do believe in Superman. His name is Norman Varga and he lives in Hungary. No, Varga is not faster than a speeding bullet; he is not more powerful than a locomotive, and he most certainly can’t leap a tall building with a single bound. On the other hand, Norman Varga is a superman.

Varga, a former cage fighter, has founded and runs a foundation in Budapest. The purpose of his foundation is designed to help young people develop a healthy lifestyle and format and reach their goals in education, science and art.

That’s not the “superman” part. The superman part is this: to call attention to his foundation, Norman Varga ran 50 marathons in 50 days. That’s right. He ran some 1,240 miles in Slovakia, Austria, Germany, France, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands. Fifty marathons in 50 days. His last marathon was in London on July 27th, 2012. Click on the YouTube link I have provided to see the lat race. It is not in English but it is clear that he did make it.

Norman Varga

I couldn’t do it. Most of you couldn’t do it either. (Yes, I know. Most of you wouldn’t want to find out, if you could do it.)

This is just one more way we are reminded the Lord gives different gifts to people.

Indeed, He gives those gifts which are necessary for His people to accomplish the goals and purposes for which the church was established. In His wisdom our Heavenly Father knew the church needed people who could plan and those who could make those plans a reality. He needed evangelists to foreign lands and those who would support those evangelists. He needed teachers who could deal with pre-schoolers and those who could reach sophisticated college students. He needed folks who would write songs of praise and those who could sing those songs.

In many and various ways the Lord has told us to share the story of salvation that comes from Jesus’ life, suffering, death and resurrection. Now He has given the gifts to make that sharing a reality.

The only question remaining is this: are we using our God-given gift? Are we giving thanks for our salvation, which is Jesus’ sacrificial gift to us?

If not, stop by the church office and talk with your pastor to see if he/she can help identify and use those gifts. Even more, your pastor needs to know you’re ready to use your gifts,  for your church pines to put you to work.

Dear Lord, You have given all of us gifts by which we can give thanks and share the old, old story in a new, new way. Please help us use those gifts and never shirk them. In and through Jesus. Amen

I hope you have taken the time to read the sample chapters of my books listed in the bottom of the header above. If you do and enjoy what you read, please leave a good review on Amazon. Thanks for joining in this ministry and I pray these books will help as you seek to help others.  Steve

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