"Volunteers"

 

“Volunteers”

 

Many towns throughout our nation, especially those in rural areas, are served by volunteer fire departments and rescue squads. (Karen was part of the ambulance corps in two places we lived.) Without residents who were willing to donate time and effort emergency resources would have been severely limited and life and property put at great risk. By God’s grace we never had to use these community assets but are thankful they were available to those who needed them.

In Lakeland professional emergency services and personnel are provided and supported by the municipal budget. But there are opportunities for volunteers to assist in a myriad of ways. Our local hospital, hospice patients, social services, youth sports and other organizations are continuously looking for people to supplement staff services. Why not check out possibilities in line with your interests to see how you might make a difference in people’s lives?

There’s a military principle which says, “Never volunteer for anything!”, the origin of which has been lost to history (at least I couldn’t find out where it came from). But even though Christ’s church is sometimes likened to an army (“Endure hardship…like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”—2 Timothy 2:3) God calls us to serve (aka volunteer) by “…(using) whatever gift (one) has received to serve others….” (1 Peter 4:10). Paul also challenges His people to “…give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?” (Romans 12:1, NLT, emphasis added). Israel’s judge Deborah sang, “My heart is with Israel’s princes, with the willing volunteers among the people.” (Judges 5:9, emphasis added). As a pastor my heart was always thankful for such servants—am I making anyone thankful in my “retirement”?

The 1907 hymn “As a Volunteer”, written by W.S. Brown (lyrics) and Charles Gabriel (music) contains a line, “Others have enlisted, Why not you?” In response, will I say with God’s prophet, “Here am I. Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8)?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan