My home church, Celebration partnered with hundreds of other churches around the nation for #serveDay2015 on Saturday, July 11th. This has been an annual outreach for so many. Again this year, thousands went out into our communities to show the love of Christ in a real and tangible way. God has given each of us spiritual gifts, interests and passions. We each have some unique thing that the Creator has given to us and it’s in us to do it. What could you do using your gifts to serve others? We each have opportunity to share a part of ourselves with others.
My family participated and joined others to make a difference and shine God’s goodness. In the Bible, Jesus sent his disciples out, asking them to do good works, to care for those they met and to tell them about the Kingdom of God. Through our acts of service we want to tell each person about our Savior and show His love. We were so happy our church made a way for us to do this as a fellowship. Of course, we should each share the love of God everyday and in many ways but doing this project with our fellowship made it special. In addition, we spent time with others and strengthened our family unit. Even our 20 month old took part.
Have you ever sat next to someone you did’t know and wondered about his or her situation? What about the guy who lives a few houses down that you see grooming his lawn or the clerk at the grocery store that you see each week? These are all God’s children. Do you wonder if they are struggling with something? I know that in my life I have struggles about one thing or the other almost daily. It helps when there is someone there to reach out. I realize that we were put on this earth to serve, not to be served. I’m learning to seek to glorify God serving others and not myself so much. Simple and practical acts of kindness can open hearts to the love of Jesus. I realize that and not only for the person being served but for both the one being served and the one serving.
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11
Saturday, as my lil’ family went door to door at the Westminster Wood retirement home, we were filled with such joy. As each door opened we greeted each home member with a handmade card and a big smile. Some folks invited us in others asked for assistance but each closed the door behind us wearing a smile. We were thrilled to show these acts of kindness. When we handed out the last handmade card, Daniel said “Can we just knock on this door too? Maybe they need something.” The moments were sweet and made Saturday a wonderful family day.
I encourage you not only to serve on these designated days but every day. When waking up, let’s ask what can we do for someone else today.
KatieGirl
