Being of the human race, I know intrinsically that I am on this earth to serve and do you know what? So are you. Each of us have a purpose and reason for being on this earth. Our task is to figure out our mission. Now, I have to say, figuring out my mission is a continuous and day-after-day event. I am constantly trying to figure out my purpose. I have learned to read God’s Word, the Bible,and go forward in my life. Then, I do what is before me. In that, I continue to work out my reasons for living. In all actuality, each of us are a part of God’s workforce, it’s just a matter of what task He has for us individually and as a group.
In 2017 there were 2 hurricanes in our state of Florida. They were back-to-back. First Harvey, a tropical storm came and then behind it followed Irma. Because of where I live, our family witnessed the devastation caused by both storms, especially Irma. Harvey hit hard and then Irma literally devastated our area. According to meteorology reports, Irma was the strongest Atlantic hurricane ever, the longest category 5 hurricane recorded and so far tracked as the only recorded storm maintaining winds of 185 mph or more for a sustained time.
Our cities’ people were put in a position of totally needing help in a wide range of areas including repair needs for barns, fences, homes, downed electrical wire, trees and more. The people of our city were physically and emotionally impacted by these storms. Help was needed but who would do this? Who would come? Who would meet the needs?
Having these storms hit the area so closely put each of us in a position to see first hand the devastation and to see God at work in the lives of others. It indeed took God’s people; His work force to do what needed to be done.
Serving People. Serving God
Here are 5 things that people of faith did to help those affected by these devastating storms.
1. Financial– Often, people have financial resources and at a time like this, many people came through to help others. Great amounts of money was donated and spent helping others.
2. Friend-to-Friend- Friends contacted friends to find out needs for each other and even for their friends of friends. People touched other’s lives in various ways including housing, working at other people’s homes, and meeting emotional needs.
3. Prayer- There were prayer chains and a lot of churches who prayed for single situations and as long as long-term situations. Praying for those affected by the storm became a task taken on by many after the storms had long gone.
4. Reaching Out- From social media platforms, phone calls, texting, to actual visitations, people reached out to help others, even those they didn’t know.
5. Work Teams- Teams from various churches went together into homes and yards to take care of various needs. For weeks at a time, these people showed the hands of God at work through human care.
Our mission is to be eyes, ears, hand and heart of God. May we all seek to find out our Spiritual gift and serve in the work force of God’s mission field. Could your efforts be God working through you?
Katie Girl
