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Friends, before the coffee cools and before the day gathers speed, let's spend a few moments together in the harbor of God's Word. Welcome to this Wednesday verse of the day bonus episode of Tales of Faith by the Sea. If you've ever attended Polishing the Pulpit, you've probably noticed something that stays with you long after the lectures have ended. Everywhere you look there are Christians, young couples pushing strollers, teenagers carrying Bibles, college students eager to learn, elders with decades of faithful service behind them, preachers, missionaries, Bible class teachers, song leaders, and members quietly serving wherever they can, different ages, different backgrounds, different talents, yet all united by one Lord, one faith, and one gospel. Paul describes that beautiful reality in Romans chapter twelve, which is our verse for today. Romans twelve verses four and five. For just as we have many members in one body, and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. The harbor is rarely filled with identical ships. Some are large, some are small, some carry cargo, others carry passengers. Each has a different purpose. Yet together they create the life of the harbor. The Lord's church is much the same way. God has never expected every Christian to serve in exactly the same way. Some preach, some teach children, some lead singing, some quietly encourage others, some visit the sick, some prepare meals, some open their homes, some offer a listening ear to a discouraged soul. Every act of faithful service matters, and when God's people work together, the beauty of Christ's body becomes visible to the world. Perhaps that's one reason gatherings like polishing the pulpit are so encouraging. For a few days we are reminded that the church is much larger than our own local congregation. Faithful Christians are serving the Lord in cities, small towns and communities all across the world. We may not all sail from the same harbor, but we are all sailing toward the same eternal home. Today, thank God for his church, thank him for faithful elders who shepherd the flock, for gospel preachers who proclaim his truth, for Bible class teachers who patiently teach his word and encourage our young people, for Christians whose quiet acts of kindness often go unnoticed by everyone but the Lord. And then ask yourself this question How can I strengthen the body of Christ today? Because every faithful Christian has a place, every faithful servant has a purpose, and every act of service helps another traveler continue the voyage. Until next time, may you rejoice in the fellowship of God's people, faithfully use the gifts He has entrusted to you, and always remember that together we are one body serving one Savior and sailing toward one eternal harbor. This has been Nathan Hampton, a minister in the Lord's church. Whether you are at polishing the pulpit this week or faithfully serving in your home congregation, thank you for your labor in the Lord. May God continue to bless your work for his kingdom. And safe sailing, my friends. Goodbye.