“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” 2 Timothy 2:2
I was at In-N-Out one night, getting a hamburger, fries and a soda, and I saw some training take place. One of the employees that probably was a manager was showing a new employee how to wipe the tables, mop the floor, and take care of garbage cans. The experienced employee actually took the time to demonstrate in front of the new employee how to do each task. And then he watched the new employee do that same task.
The task I remember the most is the one about learning to wipe the tables. The supervisor made a big deal about not wiping in circles and leaving a dirty spot in the middle or in the corners of each table. He emphasized the need to start in the upper corner go all the way across the table come down an inch or two, and go back over to the original side, and then repeat that process over and over all the way down the table. The new employee’s response was “Wow, that’s really clean.” He also added that his mom didn’t do it that way and now he realized why they were usually dirty spots in the middle of the table.
This little lesson about teaching and demonstrating is so important. Jesus taught and demonstrated so many things to His disciples – He didn’t just say to do them. They watched Him speak with people about the truth, share stories about truth, care, talk with people and perform good work for the people. Each of these situations of demonstration were designed to help. Jesus was helping the disciples learn about ministering to people and caring about people.
The goal, for each of the disciples would be to learn about being able to share the truth of God’s love, and understand that Jesus has the power to do anything, which shows He is God in the flesh. My encouragement to myself, and to you, today is to find places and people you can serve by doing good works for them. I remember a quote from when I was a little boy. “The smallest task completed is greater than the most incredible idea that never started.”