BY MIKE MCKAY: Many mornings that I come to work, I am encouraged, inspired and blessed by a great man.
He may not be considered great by some for he does not drive a fancy car or wear expensive clothes or build some booming business, and he hasn't been given a Nobel Prize or is sought after by throngs of people.
No, he is just an ordinary guy, but doing something extraordinary! Most every morning Larry rides his bike to church to volunteer his time pulling weeds, sweeping sidewalks, watering plants and picking up trash.
BY MIKE MCKAY: Many mornings that I come to work, I am encouraged, inspired and blessed by a great man.
He may not be considered great by some for he does not drive a fancy car or wear expensive clothes or build some booming business, and he hasn't been given a Nobel Prize or is sought after by throngs of people.
No, he is just an ordinary guy, but doing something extraordinary! Most every morning Larry rides his bike to church to volunteer his time pulling weeds, sweeping sidewalks, watering plants and picking up trash.
Larry is a volunteer, making a commitment to give of some of his time to help the church. As I walk by him and thank him for serving as he does, he almost always looks me in the eye and says, "No. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and help out, it helps me to do this."
Larry not only make our church look nice, but his actions are creating a movement as his example inspires other to give of their time to help. That helping, as Larry says, helps us!
See we were built to serve, to volunteer. Giving of our time and efforts allows us to be connected to something greater than ourselves and part of causes that help humanity. When we aid in building a house for Habitat for Humanity, tutor at boys and girls clubs, serve food at a senior center, be a classroom assistant in our schools, bring snacks for a soccer team, serve in our churches, we are being a helping hand to accomplish something worthwhile, something that makes a difference.
We are a blessing! In this we are blessed. The Bible puts it this way:
Proverbs 11:25: Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
Luke 6:38: give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.
Jesus is the greatest example of service. He had the right to be served, but humbled Himself, taking on the attitude of a servant, helped people.
Mark 10:45: For even the Son of Man (Jesus) came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.
Jesus also taught that we should serve, volunteering our time, energy, efforts and even giving of our resources to help others. On one occasion, Jesus was asked what actions should be taken on to live right. Jesus responded like this:
Matthew 22:36-39 36: Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" 37: And He said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38: This is the great and first commandment. 39: And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
To illustrate who is our neighbors and how to love them, Jesus told the great story of the Good Samaritan. The story indicates that our neighbors are those in need and we are to create the space in our lives, making time to help…and even be willing to invest some of our resources in doing so.
The challenge is clear…
Proverbs 3:27: Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.
Galatians 6:10: So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
The power of a volunteer is found in providing much needed help that can have great, life-changing influence. In addition, as we give of our time others are inspired to join in and share in the joy of serving. Serving, volunteering is such a joy as we give of ourselves knowing we are contributing to others.
Each of us have been given the same time each day — 24 hours — to manage well. It is up to us to choose how we spend that time. Volunteering, serving, giving of our time, energy and efforts are well worth it. It's powerful! Why not consider making the space in your life to volunteer? If you have, great! Continue to serve with joy and know that you are part of a great movement to help our world. Volunteering is powerful, let's tap into that power.
Church is a great place to volunteer and find avenues to serve. If you are not connected to a church, we would like to invite you to Cypress Church or one of our branch churches.
Our website has all the information you would need. www.cypresschurch.net . We would love for you to join us.
Mike McKay is lead pastor at Cypress Church.
