Perceptions #200013

WORKING TOGETHER

by Dennis Randall

Today I read a great quote from a humanitarian who made a difference in the lives of lots of people around the globe. While I cannot fully endorse her theology, her quote is a good one. This is what Mother Teresa said: "You can do what I cannot do. I can do what you cannot do. Together, we can do great things."

When I read her quote, I was reminded of another. It is found in Ephesians 2:19-22. "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ ~ Jesus himself as the chief Cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit."

In Christ, we collectively, as well as individually, become vessels through which He accomplishes His purpose. None of us can do everything, but all of us can do something! Sound familiar? It should. We've been discussing this and related topics from, the pulpit for some time now. I have preached these sermons because of the need for us to recognize our spiritual roles and because when we put all of our ideas and efforts together, He enables us to do great things.

I recently read the fascinating story of Arnold and Ernest. In 1904, on a hot sticky, summer day when thousands of people had gathered for the St Louis Worlds Fair, it seemed like miles of people had lined up for a taste of Arnold Fornachou's frosty ice cream. The problem was that Arnold's ice cream was so popular, he quickly ran out of paper bowls. He was just a moonlighting teenager, and he scrambled to keep his potential customers by washing and reusing the few ceramic bowls he had on hand. However, no matter how hard he worked, he just couldn't keep up, and many of the awaiting people walked away searching for another treat. That was the point at which an unlikely partner emerged to save the day.

His name was Ernest Hamwi, a pastry chef who had grown up in Syria. In the booth next to Arnold's, he was selling a wafer-thin Persian Confection called a zatabia. . .that is, he was offering them, but no one was buying.

When Ernest saw his neighbor's frustration, he was struck with a great idea. He grabbed a warm zalabia twisted it into a cornucopia shape, and rolled it in sugar. He then ran over to Arnold's booth and offered it to him. Arnold was still scrambling to wash bowls and keep customers, and didn't understand what the older man had in mind. But when Ernest handed an ice cream scoop atop one of his sugared cones to a waiting customer, Arnold immediately got the message. A huge smile spread over his face, and in no time, the two strangers were working together, Ernest made edible bowls, and Arnold scooped the ice cream. Back then, they were called Worlds Fair Cornucopias, and they were the hit of the Fair. Today, as you know, we simply call them ice cream cones, and they're still a hit.

So...the next time you begin thinking you're only one person; "What can I do?", think of Ernest and Arnold, and celebrate their combined efforts by taking a friend out for an ice cream cone.

Let's all work together for a glorious future for the Lord.

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