A Reason For Doing!

People do many good things, though perhaps for a variety of reasons. Some of those reasons are noble while others are more focused on self than on the service being provided. Still, opportunities to serve should make us feel good in being able to make a difference in the lives of others.

Myself and several members of our congregation have been involved in our community's seasonal shelter for homeless individuals for several years. Though I attend monthly meetings relative to planning and evaluating this community effort, one of the specific ways in which I have served is that of being a periodic volunteer night monitor. I have enjoyed my interaction with our guests and the manner in which they have received me and engage me in conversation (sometimes even over biblical issues), as well as simply having the opportunity to serve in a very tangible way. Though I have helped laying things out for breakfast in the morning, a couple weeks ago I actually had the opportunity to bring in the dinner. My wife and one of the other women from out congregation prepared the meal, but because of their work schedules I was the one who needed to deliver and serve it. It was a delightful experience. I lost track of how many times I heard "Thank you". It was wonderful to watch the food disappear as it was thoroughly enjoyed. Once I was certain there was enough for everyone, I enjoyed sitting and eating along with our shelter guests. Even as I left I was still hearing thanks for the dinner and dessert and was told to be sure to thank my wife and the other woman for the excellent meal.

Later that evening I told my wife and e-mailed the other woman that I wished they could have been there to have received the "Thank you"s themselves. I loved the e-mail response I received. It read [with the emphasis as it was written]: "Isn't it great that sometimes we HAVE to work together to pull something off. I also think that it is great that we weren't there. Sometimes it is good for the heart to do things that you don't see the end result of. You just do them because you know that they are right."

Do you catch the marvelous attitude of HUMBLE WILLING SERVICE in those words? Ready and willing to do what IS RIGHT whether their face was seen in the service or not! Perhaps it is because it is best for God to be seen in the work rather than ourselves.

Remember Jesus' exhortation in the sermon on the mount when He stated. . .
"(1) BEWARE OF PRACTICING YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS before other people IN ORDER TO BE SEEN by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. (2) Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. (3) But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, (4) so that your giving may be in secret. And YOUR FATHER WHO SEES IN SECRET WILL REWARD YOU." ( Matthew 6:1-4 ESV)

If the desired reward is that of getting noticed, then why expect any further reward? However, being seen does not negate God's notice when the service has simply been done because it IS RIGHT. Often there are many things going on behind the scenes that help fulfill worthy and God glorifying works. Nevertheless, it still takes people making the human connection to carry them out. Therefore, we should be willing to fulfill whatever part we are called on to play simply with the HUMBLE WILLINGNESS to serve whether we get the attention or not. The fact we have done what IS RIGHT will not go without God's notice. May He receive the glory and praise as human needs (both physical and spiritual) are being met.

Have a great day HUMBLING SERVING TO GOD'S GLORY AND PRAISE!
Carl

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