You are not "just" a volunteer!

Some Christians think that God kind of hangs out in the universe somewhere listening to some really good worship music and dialogues about the faith.

But the Bible teaches that God is at work in our lives 24/7 (He never sleeps) - all over the world - and is filling us as His followers with the appointing and the power of His Holy Spirit.

That filling has a purpose - to prompt and propel us to have an influence in the world that we live in.

It is as if God has work gloves on and He calls us to roll up our sleeves and join him in His kingdom work with our talents, our money, our time and our passions.

God's desire is that His mission becomes our mission.

His purpose becomes our purpose.

Do you feel that in your life - as much as I do in my life?

I desire to lay my head on my pillow each evening thinking that I have done everything I could (on any given day) to team up with God to change the southwest side of Chicago.

God has created you to be a world changer.

There is nothing, absolutely nothing like serving Jesus Christ.

Here's what I know:  As I serve Christ in ministry - I am ministered to - and as I am ministered to - I am changed!

Whether you are teaching a child how to pray - or guiding someone toward the faith - or helping a husband and a wife reconcile - or serving a meal to a homeless person - or producing an audiotape that puts the Christian message in somebody's hand - serving God not only helps others, it changes you!

As you know, I really like sports.

It is fun to watch a game.

But it is even more fun to play the game.

In the same way, it is wonderful to watch someone minister - but there is nothing like being a participant.

There is nothing like experiencing the joy and the pleasure of ministering for God.

I never, ever feel guilty in asking someone to minister in and outside our church.

Because I know that people who let God lead them to a place of ministry service find an incredible sense of satisfaction and joy.

So, I encourage you today - to find a place of ministry in our church.

Take baby steps of praying about what God wants you to do.  Experiment with a place of ministry.

You might feel scared or think that you have too little to offer, but have faith by taking that first step!

And listen, you are not "just" a volunteer!

You are a servant of God in ministry for the King!

Our church could not exist without the hundreds of hours given each month by our fired up volunteers.

There is not enough money in the world to pay for all of the good deeds that desperately need to be done in the name of God in our church and in Chicago.

Without the ministry work hours of volunteers, countless wounds would not be mended, mouths would not be fed, grieving people would not be comforted, broken marriage would not be put back together, lonely people would not be embraced and children would not be nurtured.

We need you!

You might say, "what do I have to offer"?

More than you probably think.

You have giftings and talents that you were born with - passions that inspire you.  You, perhaps have the blessing of an education.  You have skills that you've learned at home or at work.

You have life experiences that have matured  you.  You have pain that has developed you.

Those are powerful tools that God has given each one of us so that we might give out to others.

Our culture says, "Indulge yourself, fulfill your desires, satisfy your appetites, pursue pleasure, it's all about you."

Principle:  The true way to satisfaction and fulfillment in life is through servanthood.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said:  "It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself."

Just a thought for a Wednesday.