The Volunteer

As I transitioned from Assistant Pastor to Emergency Service Chaplain I noticed some strong similarities. One particular and important area is volunteering.

Noah Webster's 1828 dictionary defines volunteer as;

A person who enters into military or other service, of his own free will. In military affairs, volunteers enter into service voluntarily, but when in service they are subject to discipline and regulations like other soldiers. They sometimes serve gratuitously, but often receive a compensation.

God has wired us to be givers. We inherently like to give but when our frustrations and expectations take over it messes things up. I have seen this in the "church" environment too.

What happens is, those who forget the reason for volunteering often fall away from their comittment. This leaves the remainder for others to do. The problem becomes that they often have too much to do. These are the ones that keep reminding themselves that they are serving others. But when they get overloaded they get bogged down and frustrated losing sight of the initia reason for volunteering.

For 9 years I was unvolved in Children's ministry. 5 of those years I was the Pastor in charge. I was the one who "did more". I became resentful of "those" who seemed to not do anything. I needed a quick kick in the head to remind me of why I volunteered and who I was serving. The trouble for me was that I became a grumbling servant trying to do everything when I wasn't supposed to. I could hear God saying "Frank, if you're not happy doing it for Me and the children, than please stop doing so much. I want a happy giver". Deep down I really enjoyed giving and doing it for God, because of what has does for me.

There are many passages in the Bible that tell us that God knows all and sees all including our heart. When I keep this in the front of my mind it helps me tremendously. We are called to be volunteers.

-So for those of you who continue to seve and take up after others, do only what you can and enjoy it! God knows and He wants to help.
-For those of who who have cut back, please remind yourself of the good you do by volunteering and that God is the rewarder. How does He reward?? However and whenever He sees fit.

"Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary." Galations 6:9 written by The Apostle Paul who truly knew frustration and exhaustion.

Below are a few quotes about volunteering:

Something that has always puzzled me all my life is why, when I am in special need of help, the good deed is usually done by somebody on whom I have no claim. ~William Feather

A pessimist, sees a glass of water as half empty; an optimist sees the same glass as half full. But a giving person sees a glass of water and starts looking for someone who might be thirsty. unknown

A New Zealand Maori Proverb (translation)
Ko taku rourou "with my resources
Ko tau rou rou and your resources
Ka ora te tangata everyone will benefit"

"When all good ceases, all hell breaks loose" Chaplain Frank

THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING THE CALL TO GIVE

Ask God to bring more.