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Key Bible Verse: God has given to each of you … spiritual gifts … so that God's generosity can flow through you (1 Peter 4:10, NLT).Bonus Reading:Mark 9:33-37

JoséMorena spends his workdays sweeping trash, wiping toilets, and scrubbing floors as a custodian at Lincoln Elementary School in Oxnard, California. Though he excels at his work, it isn't what he's known for at the school.

During recess, Morena's a quarterback. With his ring of keys jangling from his belt loop, he throws spirals to pint-sized receivers. His presence on the field makes the friendly games more fun and prevents spats, according to the students. He does the same on the basketball court.

Morena also helps the teachers in the classroom. Because he's bilingual, he can translate between teachers and parents. He also stands in for teachers when they have to leave their classrooms. Morena has two daughters of his own, but he also acts as a father figure to many students, particularly boys, who don't have fathers at home.

The kids on the playground light up when asked about Morena: "José has always been there for me. He's someone you can talk to, and he understands," says ten-year-old Amber Castillo. He's living proof that you don't have to have an impressive job or powerful position to impact lives. Being important is about serving others, about being a role model for kids.

—Bill McCartney in 4th and Goal

My Response: Who am I uniquely positioned to serve today?

Thought to Apply: No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it for anyone else.—CHARLES DICKENS

Adapted from 4th and Goal (Tyndale, 2002) by permission.

Copyright © 2006 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

You are never weary, O Lord, of doing us good. Let us never be weary of serving you.—John Wesley

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