I’m sure if you have spent any time around the church body what-so-ever you have heard something about volunteering, or if not, you have seen someone who has volunteered their time in one form or another, and most of the time it starts from the moment you drive into the parking lot. What many people might not know, or might not think about, when they drive into the parking lot is that without all those volunteers the church would have a hard time functioning, especially on Sunday morning.
My position on staff at the church isn’t directly related to the volunteers per-sa, but I work with them each Sunday and during the week as well. I know that without their willingness to serve, in almost any role, our jobs would be almost impossible. When I came on as a staff member several years ago I mistakenly thought the volunteers were there to support the staff, but years later I now know that the staff is there to support the volunteers.
I am so thankful for all the volunteers at Cornerstone, they are amazing. They make Sunday mornings happen, and it’s what scripture calls us to do, serve each other, and in doing so fulfill Matthew 28:19-20.
Here are just a few that make this Sunday morning happen, for more, see Jack Fisher’s blog from today as well.
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I have asked this question many times before, but happens when we have faith, but no love in our heart? Does it not become an empty faith, or is it just something we do to go through the motions, or is it actually possible to have faith without love for one another. Hard to deny this in the life of Christ, and the cliche we hear a lot is having the love of Christ in your heart, but isn’t it a command given to us in scripture.
I will be the first to say this is very, very, very, very hard sometimes, and may seem almost impossible other times, but it is still written out in many places, like John, Romans, Galatians, and Ephesians to name a few:
- John 13:34
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
John 13:33-35 (in Context) John 13 (Whole Chapter) - John 13:35
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34-36 (in Context) John 13 (Whole Chapter) - Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Romans 12:9-11 (in Context) Romans 12 (Whole Chapter) - Galatians 5:13
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature ; rather, serve one another in love.
Galatians 5:12-14 (in Context) Galatians 5 (Whole Chapter) - Ephesians 4:2
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Ephesians 4:1-3 (in Context) Ephesians 4 (Whole Chapter)
My question is always, how do we/you show that love to one another? Sometimes it is as simple as writing a thank you note to a fellow brother like this below.
Getting a hand written note is almost unheard of today, so to me, receiving a note in the mail from a brother was very special and showed his love for my family. There is something about having to take the time to write with an actual writing instrument like a pen or pencil (something I rarely do) and addressing an evelope and putting it in the mail. The love shown is of course time. I was told once by a pastor that kids translate love as time spent. I think we all do this. Some don’t recognize this as valueable, but any time anyone spends time for you or with you, they have just given you the most precious thing that they have the power to give you.
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This morning I had a conversation with a friend of mine about serving. Who is called to serve, who isn’t, why some of us feel a great need to serve, and why others don’t, and who are those called to support those who serve and so on. Then, out of the blue, I read this blog post by Kyle called Go and then I will provide, and figured he just beat me to the punch.
Over the past 6-8 months I have come across so many different types of ministries that were called to serve in one area or another. Some of them did what a Pastor from Uganda said they did in their church, they went, knowing and expecting God to provide, and started a plant church in a rural area of Uganda. The topic of discussion has been on my heart for some time, and in a personal way. Besides really trying to understand where God wants me to be with my life, I am trying to understand if God wants me to serve in a full time position or not.
The concept of “going” is contrary to what we know and think, especially in this country where we have to plan everything to the inth degree before we do anything. Scriptures don’t talk about going without planning, understanding, or a calling, but also to go and not wait for every single little detail to be worked out before deciding, yes, this is where I am called to be and this is where I will go.
Romans 12: 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
To Serve is a gift spoken about in Romans along with teaching, leading, giving, showing mercy, and several others. Like Kyle, I have spent years praying about where I am to serve, and in what capacity, but I find Kyle’s calling to be the start of an incredible journey for him. Coming to the conclusion that you should “go, and then I will provide” at his age (way way younger than me) is a great calling from God where He can use Kyle without wandering through the desert for 40 years before coming to that realization.
For me, I wait for confirmation from God, in hopes of recognizing it when it shows up, taking advantage of the opportunity when it does, putting aside my fears of the unknown, and remembering that God will provide.
I took these two photos of Deb’s oil lamp above a few minutes ago thinking about all this and 1,000 other things. Many times I feel like we as Christians are like this first photo. Just waiting around for God, for something, someone, to light our fire before we will go out and serve. The fuel is there, the fire is there, the two just have to come together at the same time to allow us to shine in His brilliance. But it takes fire (light), fuel, something to burn, and something to hold it all together to make it happen.
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This Wednesday our weekly Bible study at church was replaced by a gift wrapping party for Operation Christmas Child from Samaritan’s Purse. We enjoyed our weekly pot-luck dinner and then it was on to the wrapping and filling of the shoe boxes.
The church filled 50 boxes last year and the goal was 100 for this year. We did it!! This program is such a blessing to both those children who receive the boxes and especially to those filling them. May God place these boxes in the hands of those who need them the most.
