It Is Okay to Be Fred Kaps

     If you went out today and asked people on the street to tell you who Fred Kaps is, you would most likely be met with stunned silence or asked, “Fred who?” But even though it has been almost half a century since they made their first American debut on the Ed Sullivan Show on February 9th, 1964, people still know who the Beatles are, and most can probably even name John, Paul, George and Ringo if asked to do so. So just what is the connection here with Fred Kaps and the Beatles? Well, Fred Kaps was the unfortunate act who followed that wildly successful Beatles performance that took the nation and the world by storm on that Sunday evening long ago, leaving Beatlemania in its wake, while hardly anyone seemingly remembers Fred Kaps.
      Fred Kaps was actually a quite talented magician. On that fateful night in 1964 he gave a flawless, amazingly wonderful performance involving a card and a salt shaker. Simply because he followed the Beatles that winter evening that fact has virtually become lost to history. But just because people do not remember Fred Kaps does not change for one moment the truth that he did give a splendid performance in his own right.
     Sometimes as Christians we forget that it is okay to be Fred Kaps in our service to the Lord. Even Scripture reminds us of this when Paul writes, 28. And God hath set some in the church, first Apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29. Are all Apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30. Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31. But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. (1 Corinthians 12:28-31) Paul then went on to give his great exposition of love in the next chapter, and love is something that all of us certainly are capable of giving to others.
     We have a great example given of someone in the Bible whom we are never told had any supernatural gift at all, and yet she is deemed one of the most praiseworthy of individuals in all of Scripture, and her name is Tabitha Dorcas: “Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did,” (Acts 9:36). Tabitha Dorcas used what God had given her, a heart full of love and compassion for others, and seamstress’s hands, loving and caring hands that sought to do what they could to benefit others. When she died and Peter was standing among the grieving friends of Dorcas, “all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them” (Acts 9:39b).
     Learn the lesson of Fred Kaps and Tabitha Dorcas. Do not give up on serving the Lord because someone else seemingly is more successful than you are. Do what you can for the Lord while it is still day, for night is coming when no more work can be done. The Lord knows and He will always remember your good works! “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me” (Matthew 25:40).
               
- David R. Ferguson preaches for the Lakeland Church of Christ in Mattoon, IL.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://lakelandchurchofchrist.web.officelive.com/default.aspx