THE CLOCKTOWER
Do you ever feel like you’re not of any use? So not true!….
THE CLOCKTOWER
In the heart of a distant realm, where clouds whispered lullabies and trees bowed to passing winds, there stood a Living Clocktower named Terranova. She was no ordinary tower. Her gears thrummed with breath, her bells rang with laughter, and inside her walls dwelled the Clockfolk—tiny creatures formed of polished wood, brass, and light.
Each Clockfolk had a purpose. Tikker, with his silvery arms, kept the minutes moving. Bellina sang the chimes on the hour, her voice bright as dawn. Goldrum, the stout fellow with winding keys for fingers, kept the gears tight and faithful. Then there was Luminate, a quiet little spark who lived in the shadowy corner behind the pendulum. No one quite knew what Luminate did. Even she didn’t know or understand her role, let alone her talent.
Now, Terranova stood not merely to tell time, but to hold the rhythm of the entire realm in balance. The seasons, tides, and even the blooming of flowers looked to her for cue. But one misty morning, a whisper of pride slid in through a crack in the tower.
“I wish I could ring like Bellina,” murmured Tikker.
“And I,” said Bellina, sighing, “wish I could spin like Goldrum.”
Soon murmurs filled every gear and nook.
“I’m only a screw.” said Corky.
“I’m just a spring.” said Bounce.
“I don’t even tick—what good am I?” said Lever.
Even Luminate, glowing faintly in the dark, hid herself entirely behind the pendulum’s sway.
Ironically, each part felt that their talents were minuscule compared to the others.
But that very night, the Great Storm came.
Lightning flashed like jagged trumpet blasts across the sky. Winds howled, trying to pull the tower down stone by stone. The storm roared, “Fall, you trembling thing of many parts!”
Terranova shuddered.
Her bell choked. Her gears stuttered. Her hands froze at midnight.
Time stopped.
And when time stopped, so did everything in the land. Children paused mid-laugh, rivers halted mid-rush, and even the stars held their breath. No one breathed. Would this storm be their demise?
Inside the tower, the Clockfolk trembled. They had never felt silence like this. But then, from the shadow behind the pendulum, came a light.
Luminate.
She stepped forward, glowing brighter than ever. “I don’t chime. I don’t turn. I don’t wind. But I can shine.”
And shine she did—into the tightest gears, into the rusting joints, into the heart of Terranova herself.
Light found what pride and comparison had hidden: that each Clockfolk, no matter their motion or melody, had been shaped by the Great Clockmaker for a purpose.
With the light of Luminate’s spark, Tikker remembered his rhythm. Bellina found her voice. Goldrum tightened the bolts, and one by one, the tower’s heartbeat returned.
Terranova ticked once.
Then again.
Then twelve proud times.
DONG! DONG! DONG!…
The storm ceased at once, as if startled by such unity.
The stars resumed their singing.
The world breathed once more. Life began ticking once again!
And from that day on, no Clockfolk ever said, “I am just this” or “I wish I were that.” Instead, they would look to one another with joy, saying, “You are needed. And so am I.”
And Luminate, the once-forgotten light, was honored as the Keeper of the Spark—the quiet one who reminded them all:
“The Clock only lives when every part plays its part. The hand cannot tick without the gear, nor the gear without the spring. And even the spark, unseen, bears the breath of time.”
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Inspired by 1 Corinthians 12. Many members, one body. One Spirit, many gifts. All cherished. All needed.
We Being many- Marty Goetz
You are needed and important to the body!!