I am thrilled to share Amy Sullivan and her words of encouragement with you today. I accidentally came upon her blog months ago and loved her heart. Her blog says it all, “finding God-sized ways to give in the everyday.” Her desire for serving others and what she has to share today is raw and pure truth. I’m sure you can find yourself in her words below; I know I did. Thank you, sweet Amy, for sharing here today!
I used to think and rethink ways to live a life of love. I agonized over my self-absorbed life and poured over service opportunities.
Then, I sat.
I refused occasions to serve others. I’m busy. I don’t know them. I don’t have a heart for that. Not good.
Then, I tried to change, and I accepted every prospect to serve others. Sure, pile on something else. I want to know everyone. I have a heart for all. Equally, not good.
However, somewhere between doing nothing and doing everything, I’ve come to see true service begins when we quit doing these three things:
1. Quit serving with an idea of what service looks like.
I want to help, and I want to help in cool and dramatic ways.
I see the husband and wife traveling to Ethiopia to adopt another child, and I think what a way to serve, to literally take in orphans.
I read about the sweet family of five working at an orphanage for girls in Thailand, and I think what a way to serve, to rescue defenseless girls from the snares of sex trafficking.
Then, I picture myself doing quiet things, boring things, and I cop a teeny attitude. You want me to bring in a coat for the local shelter? Blah, boring.
The truth: True service comes when serving is no longer fun or exciting.
2. Quit treating life as an endless checklist.
I desire to accomplish, but my hurry-up-and-do-it-attitude often trumps the needs around me.
My schedule dictates my mood.
I multitask, but few things receive my full attention.
I drive quickly by the new neighbor, again.
The truth: True service comes when we take the time to notice the needs of those around us.
3. Quit trying to make a difference.
I want results, and a sense of significance.
It’s easy to invest in people or projects that are succeeding. Once, I volunteered with Big Brothers and Big Sisters. My little sister’s family was mean and unappreciative, and my little sister was demanding. I felt used, and often thought of myself as a free babysitter.
Why couldn’t these people just appreciate the fact that I was trying to spend quality time with their daughter?
The truth: True service comes when you don’t see results, but you do it because you know that’s what God is asking from you.
Question for you: Is there something you need to quit doing as you think of serving others?
Awesome. I find myself coveting those who get to go somewhere cool like Africa to minister and serve, but then I remember that if it’s true service, there’s nothing cool about it except that it pleases the Lord.
Also, I love what you said about doing too many things at once without giving full attention to any of them. Hello, that’s me, too. You just spoke to me on multiple levels today, you know that? Thank you, Amy (and Alene)!!
Too many things at one time — yep, yep, yep my hand is raised in conviction too. Love your heart Amy!
Amy,
Oh, yeah, wanting to be the person who serves in big ways (like across oceans!)…I get that.
Laura Parker blogs about her family’s life at an orphange in Thailand (She’s the girl I mentioned). I used to go to her blog and think, why can’t our family do something big like this? We are just serving others in boring ways.
Now I know not only is that untrue, but it devalues our service.
Totally get that — wanting to do something huge or go far away or make a brave statement, Here’s what the Lord convicted me with when he moved to the inner parts of our city instead —
Matthew 10:5-8 MSG
Jesus sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge: “Don’t begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don’t try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously.
We’re to start right in our own families, backyards, neighborhoods, cities, etc.
I guess we best get busy!
Alene,
Love the place you’ve created here, and I love the guests I’ve met through you. Thanks for inviting me to be included among some inspiring people.
This is truly one of my favorite parts of being online. Connecting with people who inspire. And yes, that means you, my friend, Alene!
Loving having you here girl! Come back any time…
Love having your heart of service represented here!
Amy,
What a great post. Sometimes service is a way that people gain self-esteem or promote themselves. Your statements are so true. It can be hard to remember that serving a neighbor or our own kids is as meaningful to God as going to an impoverished country if our heart is in the right place.
And Alene, loved your post this week. It is still haunting me. Thanks being a guest.
“…somewhere between doing nothing and doing everything…”
My life has vacillated between these two extremes: doing nothing and doing everything. It’s exhausting.
I can so relate to the attitudes you’re portraying here. You’re right; we want results and a sense of significance. Learning to serve from a place of humility is the biggest challenge of all as we learn to be at peace with serving from a place of obedience, doing something because He told us to, and not worrying about results or a personal sense of significance.
Such an incredible post. I love this.