I have the privilege to attend a great church that is very service minded. For the past three years we have a Back to School event where we give away 2500 or more backpacks to those in need in our community. This year we had over 400 if not close to 500 volunteers. The community was treated to snow cones, hot dogs, balloon animals, free dental check ups, free haircuts, free spine checks and many other things. Of course kids received backpacks filled with school supplies.

The reward for the volunteers is in the smiles and thank yous’ that are given by the visitors, Handing a balloon animal to a child and watching their face lite up is a feeling that is hard to describe. These are stories that happened minute by minute and second by second. We will start working on the next one soon because there is a lot of planning that goes into this. If I know my church all the people can’t wait for next year also.

The reason I started out talking about this past weekends Back to School event is to ask a question. Serving is contagious, that should catch on like a wild-fire and explode into helping those in need, not only in the church but in the community and beyond. There are probably few churches out in the world that don’t preach about serving and missions to others.

So why is it so hard for people in any particular church body to serve is it that they shy away or ignore the need of service? I believe the problem is not that people ignore the issue, no really I think that it is hard for people to get outside of their own box to serve. There is fear of not knowing what to do, there is a fear of rejection of what is being done. People are looking for a simple invite and some instruction on what to do.

Serving is addicting once you get in your blood you will want to give to others. If you don’t believe me, take a challenge and go after a serving opportunity and try not to do it again. It reminds me of the old Lays Chip TV commercial, you just can’t eat one. You just can’t serve once, it is impossible the impact that can be made on one persons life is immense.

I leave you with this, Jesus said if you do it to the least of these you do it to me. So when we serve we are not only serving Christ we are showing Christ love to those in desperate need of love. So find a need fill a need. FInd somewhere to serve in your church and do it. Find a need in your community and ask God to help you fill out.

Serve All in Need and don’t forget those out of your reach and in your blind spots. It is our responsibility as the body of Christ to serve those in need.

God Bless.

PR