May the mumbling commence!
There is something special about volunteers. Volunteers do something often without any intention to get anything out of the experience themselves. However, volunteers often find that they get more out of their volunteering than they put in themselves.
I have seen it in many ways through my life – volunteers getting just as much as or more than the people they intend to serve. It is the way of God – volunteering, particularly if volunteering is done with the right heart attitude. The right attitude is to volunteer out of sheer gratitude for what God has done for us. The right attitude is to volunteer to leave behind any personal agendas behind. To volunteer rightly is to be flexible and open to the call of the Holy Spirit.
I have been a part of volunteering to help clean up after a natural disaster – when a tornado struck Americus, Georgia. Relationships that we build in times of disaster are extra sweet. I have been a part of volunteering at soup kitchens. I remember fondly the meals that I shared with my brothers and sisters at these soup kitchens. I have been a part of community theatre productions. Finding new friends and encouraging young people are things that I hold dear.
Let us answer the call to volunteer. It is a call from God. Listen to that call and follow the path God has blazed ahead of you by discovering and sharing the spiritual gifts within you. Volunteer! Read a familiar passage from Psalm one-hundred ten:
The Lord said to my Lord,
"Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool."
The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion.
Rule in the midst of Your enemies!
Your people shall be volunteers
In the day of Your power;
In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning,
You have the dew of Your youth.
The Lord has sworn
And will not relent,
"You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek." (Verses 1-4)
In the midst of the familiar words in blue italic, we see a thought that is not often brought out. The New Testament and Jesus, himself, use these words in connection to Jesus. They are beautiful.
But, let’s not be blinded by the beautiful brilliance of our Lord and neglect to see our call. Our call is to allow God to rule. God’s will be done – not ours or mine or yours. Rule in our midst, O Spirit of God.
By Your power of God, we are empowered to volunteer. Let us volunteer with the right attitude of heart. Let us bless others even as we are richly blessed. In this way, we will earn the favor of the Prophet and Priest and King of our lives. Read from Proverbs chapter fourteen:
The king's favor is toward a wise servant,
But his wrath is against him who causes shame. (Verse 35)
May it be so. In this case, it seems that the University of Tennessee – in fact the entire state of Tennessee – has it right. Tennessee is the state of volunteers. Volunteer for God! And remember that we will find Jesus in the least of these.
Enough mumbling for now… Peace Out
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