The robot gripped the rubber ball with its claw, spun around on its wheels, and sped up the ramp. On the upper level of the racecourse, it bounced over a series of speed bumps, which made it difficult for the robot to hold on to the ball. Even though it bounced up and down violently, the claw kept its grip on the ball. Lucas worked the joystick until his robot rolled up to the goal. A quick flick of the mechanical arm tossed the ball into the goal. The crowd cheered for Lucas who was now in the lead.
“Go Lucas!” Evelyn shouted. “You can do it.”
With only one more task to complete, Lucas guided his robot back down to the lower level of the course. He would win the competition if he was the first one to get all the object into the goal. The first five pieces had been shapes that were not difficult for the robot to handle, a square block, a plastic donut, a string of beads, and a ball. But the last object was a challenge. The robot grasped the object and lifted only to have it slip free. The second attempt failed as well. Now the other robots had caught up to Lucas’ robot. All three robots clawed at the pyramid shape, and all struggled to get a firm grip.
Lucas finally managed to get a secure hold on the piece. He spun his machine around and raced up the ramp. When he rattled over the speed bumps, the pyramid fell from the robot’s grasp. Now his robot sat at an angle, so picking the piece up was even more difficult. Lucas ignored the bead of sweat dripping down his forehead. He tried to ignore the fact that the other robots were passing his. If he didn’t get ahold of the object quickly, he would lose for sure. Just when it looked like it was over, both of his competitors dropped their pieces short of the goal. The speed bumps were proving to be a real challenge. Lucas seized the opportunity. His robot finally got ahold of the pyramid and then roll over the last of the speedbumps just ahead of the other bots. The pyramid dropped into the goal and a buzzed sounded the end of the competition.
Evelyn and Christen rushed over to congratulate the winner. Lucas was still in a bit of a daze from the intense focus. He made a point to shake the hands of the other racers before celebrating with his friends.
“That was close, but I knew you could do it,” said Evelyn.
“Great job. let’s get some pictures,” Christen pulled her phone out and captured several pictures of Lucas with his robot and trophy.
As the crowd filed out Evelyn added, “We’ll see you at band practice this evening.”
“What time is practice?” Lucas had been distracted by the robotic competition and he had forgotten all about it.
“It starts at six.”
“Right. I’ll see you there.”
At five minutes before six o’clock Lucas took his position at the piano keyboard. As he shuffled through a stack of sheet music, Jake made his way from the sound booth to the church stage.
“Is everyone ready?” Without waiting for a response, Jake continued, “Good. Let’s start with the opening song. We were a little bit out of sync the last time.”
Jake was a talented guitarist and the church’s music leader. Even though he was in his early twenties, he had written several worship songs, and toyed with the idea of starting his own band outside of the church.
“Remember, the concert is less than a week away. Let’s get it together. We don’t want to start the night off on a bad note,” said Jake.
The following Saturday one of the up-and-coming Christian bands would be performing at Lucas’ church. The leaders had been planning the event for a year. During the planned live stream, listeners all over the world would be asked to donate money to a charity for needy children. The church hoped to raise thousands of dollars. And Lucas was scheduled to play a few songs with the church band as the opening act.
Christen stood with a microphone at center stage, and Evelyn waited with her bass guitar. Jake strapped on his electric guitar, adjusted a few settings, and then nodded to the drummer. The drummer clicked his sticks together and the band joined in. As they played the chorus Jake stopped the music.
“Hold on, hold on,” he raised his hand, and the music came to an awkward halt. “Lucas, you’re a little off on the chorus.”
Lucas nodded but said nothing.
“Let’s take it from the start,” said Jake.
As the practice continued, the worship leader glanced at Lucas every now and then. After an hour of playing the same three songs over and over, the practice session ended. While the musicians tended to their instruments, Jake wandered over to the keyboard. “Lucas, can I talk to you after?”
“Sure,” said Lucas with a wrinkled brow. He wondered what Jake wanted.
When the others had left for the night, Lucas asked Jake what was up.
“I hate to do this to you,” Jake began. “But your playing is not up to par. I know you can improve, and I’ll do whatever I can to help you, but for now I’m going to have to replace you at the keyboard.”
Lucas looked down at the floor, “with who?”
“Marilyn.”
Lucas’ eyes again locked on the band leader’s. He knew Marilyn was a good pianist even though she was younger than he was.
Jake softened his voice. “I’m sorry.”
Lucas turned to leave.
“Can I give you a ride home?”
“No thanks. I’ll walk.”
Lucas wandered through the neighborhood toward his house. The long shadows of the evening crisscrossed the empty sidewalk. He thought about what his mother would say. She was an outstanding pianist, which is why he chose the instrument. But it was not just about his mother. Even if she was disappointed, she wouldn’t show it. She would still encourage Lucas to continue playing. What really bothered him was the fact that all his church friends were musicians. Being out of the band made him feel like an outcast. Many of the kids his age were into sports. They were polite but Lucas didn’t share their love of athletics. He wished someone else in the church was interested in robotics, but no one was.
When he reached his house Lucas paused, let out a sigh, and then went inside.
Saturday morning Lucas sat in his basement workshop. He had planned to spend the morning improving his robot. The workbench was littered with tools, wires, and robotic parts. As he waited for his soldering iron to heat up his phone buzzed. Lucas read the message from Jake, “Can you come to the church? It’s important.”
After a quick exchange with Jake, Lucas shouldered his backpack and called to his mother, “Jake needs me at the church.”
“Okay,” his mother answered from the kitchen.
Jake met Lucas at the church entrance.
“Thanks for coming on such short notice,” Jake began. “We could use your help.”
“What’s the problem?”
“The concert is this evening, and the automatic camera isn’t working. We were counting on it for the live stream broadcast. Do you think you can get it working?”
“I don’t know, but I’ll try.”
“The video works, but the camera won’t move like it’s supposed to. It’s stuck in one position,” Jake explained.
Lucas unzipped his backpack and got to work on the robotic camera. First, he checked the wires for loose connections, and then he toyed with the controls, The camera refused to respond. It just focused on the floor in front of the stage. After removing several small screws, he lifted the plastic cover off and examined the confusing jumble of motors, gears, and circuit boards.
After an hour had passed, Jake appeared.
“How’s it going?”
“I think I found the problem. I need to run home for some parts.”
“Sure, whatever you need to do.”
I’ll be right back,” said Lucas as he headed for the door.
He raced from the church to his house. In his workshop, he shuffled through bins overflowing with robotic parts. When he found what he was looking for, he stuffed it into his backpack and hurried back to the church.
When evening arrived, the church buzzed with activity. From his seat in the control booth Lucas watched as the people streamed in, filling every seat. Mike, sat next to him, controlling the video program. When it came to computers, Mike was one of the best. The church logo filled the monitor screen. In the corner of the display a counter ticked up.
“What’s that?” Lucas pointed to the ever-increasing number.
“That’s how many people are watching online,” Mike explained.
“Five thousand already? He music hasn’t even started.”
The audience burst into applause as Jake appeared on stage to greed the audience and start the concert.
Mike clicked the computer mouse, and the church logo was replaced with a close-up video of Jake.
“We’re streaming.” Mike turned to Lucas. “You did a good job with the camera. It’s working great.”
Lucas’ jaw dropped when he noticed the number of viewers had jumped to fifty thousand and was still climbing. The concert was going to be a complete success.
***
Read Romans 12: 4-8
What does this passage compare our bodies too?
Who is included in the body of Christ?
In the story what did Lucas discover he was good at?
How are you gifted?
What are some things you might do if you don’t feel like you are not a part of the body?
How can you help someone else who doesn’t feel like part of the body?