The Antique Desk

People use our church parlor on a regular basis and never notice a beautiful antique desk which sits right next to the door. The table is used while Sunday School records are completed and occasionally used by the deacon secretary when the deacons are moved upstairs for their meetings. Otherwise, no one pays much attention to the small desk piled high with record books, paper, pencils and all the other church stuff found in our classrooms.

I had occasion to sit at the desk for a week while doing my private study time. Since I use various classrooms around the church to read and pray in the mornings I get a chance to see the classrooms where people meet. I also get to pray for the members of that class. Thus, I used the Adult 1 men’s classroom and their small records desk.

A survey of any church will find an inventory of hand-me-down furniture which has been donated by families over the years. Sometimes the items are extremely valuable and useful, while other items never find a home or use. This parlor desk is quite a find! It is small, well made and very useful for the space where it resides.

Church members seem to fit in the same categories as furniture. Some individuals are extremely useful from the moment they arrive, while others never seem to find their place. There are some who never even want to be noticed. But, God has a plan for every church member. He knows everyone’s personality, giftedness and purpose. We all have a place in the work of the church.

You may never fill a noticeable or public position in the operation of the church. But you may be like the small antique desk that was made for the spot where it resides. Everyone has a place - and must strive to find that place in their service to the Kingdom.