Look To Serve
Serving others is a concept that many people have to learn and then seek out.
Obviously we are taught at a very young age to be “helpers” and then when we're in the classroom setting we are given opportunities to learn what community service is.
There's a social aspect to helping others that is enjoyable, plus the gratification that comes with seeing someone smile after you've served them.
I was really blessed to be given a lot of opportunities to serve others throughout my school years, especially in high school.
My first real opportunity to do regular community service was in middle school when I joined NJHS (National Junior Honors Society). We were required to a certain amount of community service so in order to accomplish that we'd put on events like “Rake & Run” where you'd run around a neighborhood with rakes and 50 other middle schoolers and rake people's leaves. We also would put on bake sales and run different events to benefit various causes in the community. I'd say that's when I got my first taste of serving with a team, I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed running events even more.
This carried on into high school when I would go on week long serving trips to local neighborhoods in Detroit. I also served on multiple teams at my church in the kids, youth, music and services department. I loved being a part of the committees that planned events and then executed them for a greater cause.
I don't say any of this to brag, I just really enjoyed the community aspect of serving others and the amazing relationships that were formed with those we were able to help. I also tell you about that because it went from 100 to 0 in the matter of a move.
When I moved to Nashville I suddenly went from serving with or at my church 3-4 times a week to nothing. I didn't have a community here, I was no longer on any committees, I felt like a lost a big part of myself.
When I finally joined Dustin's church a few months later, I was disappointed to find out that there weren't any service opportunities. The church is too small- usually less than 50 people in a weekend- and doesn't need teams to serve.
After that I just kinda gave up on the idea of being in the position to do service work like that. Being out in the country there's really not much to do.
Now you could definitely say that I've been serving this last year, it just hasn't been in a structured (type A here) way. Living with Dustin's grandmother and taking her to appointments and helping around the house and making sure she's taken care of definitely counts as serving. It's been interesting really, the last year has taught me a lot about the various ways that serving can look. It's not always on a team with matching t-shirts and lanyards. Sometimes it's carrying groceries in, being a chauffeur, or even just sitting down to watch a movie with someone who needs company. It's been almost uncomfortable for me to figure out this type of servitude, but it's been good at the same time. It's made me grow into a more compassionate and intentional person. I specifically have to look for ways to help instead of checking off a pre-set list. It's made me more aware of the needs of those around me.
I specifically have to look for ways to serve.
With our move we're going to be looking for a new church, which we will hopefully find a big enough one that I can serve in, because I really do miss the community aspect of serving. I realize that a huge amount of my friends were people I met while serving at my home church. It makes sense that I haven't really made more than a couple friends in my two years in Tennessee given that I haven't been involved in any community efforts. Besides the church, we are moving to a slightly more populated area than the one we live in now. When driving through the town the other day I noticed a pregnancy center. I'm not sure if I'll get involved there, but it made me realize that I may now have the opportunity to get involved in a community again. It gave me hope.
You see I don't think that serving is just about going in and helping people. I mean that's a huge part of it, but it's arrogant to think that everyone just needs our help and that we're supposed to just swoop in and “save people”. In my experience, although people do need help, they still need to be treated as capable humans who have wisdom to share and lessons to teach you. When you help people you often find yourself in a beautiful exchange, not only do they get the help you need but you get to experience getting to know a beautiful person and you may even get wisdom or a blessing from them. This isn't to say that you should serve to get something out of it, but don't assume those who you're serving are “needy”, sometimes we all just need a little help.
I encourage you, if you've never been given the opportunity to serve, seek one out. It will change your life. Whether you serve at a local homeless shelter or food bank, you help start a community garden, you clean up yards, work in a pregnancy or women's center or you simply go and sit with people at a nursing home, get involved. There is something for everyone to fit your specific gifting. Even if you're not a people person, there are plenty of jobs that need to be done, especially in local community centers that a handyman would be perfect for.
We only get so many years on earth to make an impact on other people. I don't believe in karma but I do believe in loving your neighbor as yourself and Matthew 25:35-40:
“For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’”
We have a responsibility to care for one another and in a world that is more self centered than ever before, we must look up from our phones and take our headphones off and look for what needs doing and who needs help.
It's the holiday season and with that usually comes the spirit of helping others. This year is a little bit different because of corona and everyone being freaked out, but people still need help. Shelters still need donations and volunteers. The number of those in need has skyrocketed with as economically hard as this year has been. The need for help has not gone away, in fact I'd probably say it's increased. I myself can't do much to help this year as I've just pushed a baby out of me, but what I can do is bring awareness of how important it is to serve and how much your community needs you. It can be scary getting involved if you don't have anyone to go with, but I promise if you do you'll meet some of the most lovely and welcoming people.
Look up opportunities in your area that you can get involved in and just go for it. Take a few Saturday's and love on your community. I promise you won't regret it.