But the greatest among you shall be your servant.  Matthew 23:11

I’m frustrated.  We are in desperate need of volunteers in every area of our church and no one seems to want to step up to the plate.  I’m so very tired of hearing the same old excuses every week.  You think you’re not talented that way – you don’t have the time – you don’t know anyone.  None of those are valid excuses.

Let’s start with the first one – you’re not talented.  Moses said the very same thing to God when told to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt and we all know how that ended.  When you start pointing out your short comings, you’re limiting God.  I don’t know about you but my God is able to use me despite what I am.  The more untalented you are, the more glory goes to God.  When He can take someone totally unsuitable for a job and make them successful, He gets the credit and you get to do something incredible.  Don’t limit God or your abilities.  He made you like you are for a reason and He can give you the abilities to handle the task you’re called to do.  I Peter 4:10 says “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another.”

Ok –now to time.  If you or a loved one was sick and it took an hour a week to save you, wouldn’t you find time for that hour?  Of course you would.  None of us would forego chemo or any other treatment in order to save our lives.  But yet we’re sitting back and letting people go to hell because we don’t have the time to invest in their lives.  “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.”  (Mark 10:45)  There is someone walking through the door of that church that needs to see your smile as your greet them.  There’s some small child that needs to hear how Jesus died for him.  There’s some youth who needs a role model to fight the pressures of school.  There’s a small group who needs a leader to encourage them each week.  One hour to help someone live forever?  I honestly don’t think that’s asking too much.

Lastly, you don’t know anybody.  Are you content to go sit in the same spot every single Sunday and not get to know anyone?  Volunteer!!!  What better way to make new friends?  I can’t tell you how blessed I feel to have met the people I volunteer with every Sunday.  They are my friends, my confidants, my accountability partners.  My life would not be so richly blessed without having met each and every one of these people.  Don’t isolate yourself – give those around you a chance to know and appreciate the person you are.

We were not put on this earth to go shopping, see movies and eat out.  We were put on this earth to serve others.  How many of us are truly fulfilling the purpose of our lives?

If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.  Philippians 2:1-4 (The Message)

 Carol