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Volunteerism - The Power of Everybody
Brian Mashburn
January 6, 2008
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Volunteerism
Acts 13:36 says that "David had served God's purpose in his own generation." Are you?
I read of a preacher who said, "Every local churchgoer has a choice to make. He can park in his usual spot in the parking lot, make his way to a comfortable seat in a favorite row, watch a good service, chat with friends, and then go home - a nice, safe Sunday morning experience. Or he can throw himself into an adventure by rolling up his sleeves and helping build the local church God has called him to be a part of."
Being a spectator never compares to being in the middle of the action. I love sports. However, I'm not into watching sports that much. There's something about watching that makes me want to play. I remember sitting on the floor of a Houston Rockets basketball game. I got my picture with Robert Horry & Charles Barkley. Then I watched world-class basketball. But I've missed countless opportunities to attend those same games with those same seats just to play a pick-up game down at the local gym. I've always said that I'd rather participate in a scrappy little half court game than be a spectator at the NBA Finals.
God isn't just watching. He has his work gloves on, changing this world into His dream for it. And He wants His dream to become ours. You might not have known it, but your outlet for participating is right before you. He wants you to make your world-changing impact through your local church.
Everyone I know who is a "lifer"- that is, they will never stop volunteering until the day they die - all tell the same story. They tried something. Most didn't find the perfect volunteer niche overnight. They didn't have a clue where to start, but started anyway, oftentimes in less than ideal circumstances.
But the man who lets God lead him to where He wants him to serve always finds an incredible sense of satisfaction and joy. And when he dies, he will have "served God's purpose in his own generation."
Christ's organization has always been and will always be a "volunteer only" organization. Volunteer.