Lessons From the Mail Distribution Center

~By Sharon Czerwien

“Wow, look at all the mail trucks!” My kiddos were both equally in awe of a particular parking lot as we drove nearby. It was a local Processing and Distribution Center for the United States Postal Service.

I tried to explain a little about what my mind knew about the process. (Personally, I would love to take a “grown-up field trip” to learn more, as I know my brain could never design such an organized center!)

Without going on such a field trip, I do know there are some lessons we can learn from the Mail Distribution Center.

Three Lessons From the Mail Distribution Center:

1. Each member of the USPS team plays a vital role. The mail carriers could never deliver our mail without an organized system getting our mail to them in the first place. On the flip side, the organized system would be in vain without the willing carriers delivering our mail!

2. A member of the USPS team may work a very different shift from a team member. A mail carrier may be off on a federal holiday, but his friend in the distribution center may still be working.

3. Much happens behind the scenes that the average person will never fully understand. With all the ins and outs and busy workings, we do not see all the well-made plans and how these plans come to fruition. They work for our good, though.

These same lessons remind me of the important operations of the local church.

Three Lessons From the Operations of a Local Church:

1. Each member of your local church plays a vital role. Whether it is the deliverer of the Good News of the Bible (pastors and teachers) or the organized planners that work behind the scenes, the work of the church requires all types of people. (Plus, what would a good church be without the kitchen workers, right!? Seriously!)

2. A member of your church may do ministry at very different times compared to another team member. Some do the ministry during church hours and on church grounds, while other members sit in late-evening meetings in the middle of the week in order to do other aspects of church ministry.

3. Much happens behind the scenes that not everyone in the church will ever fully understand. With the ins and outs and busy workings, we do not see all the well-made plans and how these plans come to fruition. They work for our good, the good of others, and most importantly for the glory of God.

I will end with one of my favorite Bible verses:

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him (Colossians 3:17, NKJV).

Take care,

Sharon