Why Not? April 7, 2009

Why Not?
I was a church kid. I grew up in church. My dad was a pastor. I always loved being at church. When I was only 13, I told people, “When I grow up I want to be a Children’s Pastor.” I knew that is what God had called me to do, and I was focusing on the goal ahead – how to get there. I was even allowed to serve here at The People’s Church when I was only 15 as a volunteer intern. I worked my tail off that summer and loved every minute of it. I didn’t know how great it was going to be working with kids. I did VBS, went to camp, helped with Sunday School. You name it, and I was willing to help. I had a great enthusiasm for my calling. I was raised and still believe to this day, that everyone who comes into a church has a gift to use. God promises that. 1 Corinthians 12 talks about spiritual gifts and how we each have been given different gifts to use as one body. 1 Corinthians 12:27 says, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” So, if God has given you a gift that he intends for you to use to serve him as a part of the body, why wouldn’t you? Why not?
I love working with kids because when I asked them this question, they said, “there is no reason not to.” Plain and simple. Why not? The kids and I couldn’t think of a good reason. I love how the Bible even compares it to our physical bodies. The foot would not say to the hand, “I am not a foot, so I am not a part”. The eye can’t say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” and the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” It all works together! Wow! Who thought of that? It has to be a God thing.
Whenever I go to a Children’s Ministry conference, the big joke is that heaven for us will be having too many volunteers. Everyone laughs, and then we go sit in conferences on how to lure people in, ask people to serve, what to do if you don’t have volunteers; there are even ministries now based on not having enough volunteers and how to function without them. How sad is that? We have come to expect the worst. But wait, God’s Word says he has provided everyone in the body with a gift to use to adequately meet our needs. Should that be such a hard thing to believe? Where did our faith go? Has our belief in people’s lack of commitment grown larger that our belief in God’s Word? I just can’t let my mind go there. God has promised me. He has the people that I need. I don’t have to wait to get to heaven to see what “enough” volunteers look like. He promises to give me enough right here on earth. I am a very literal thinker. So, to me that means that if there are over 1,000 kids coming to our church now in birth–6th grade, and that means we need 389 volunteers to make that happen, God has 389 people here who are gifted to serve in these ways. I may find out someday that I was way off base, or that I really misunderstood what God was trying to say to me through that passage of Scripture. But for today, I choose to believe. Why not? God can do anything – even prompt the hearts of comfortable people who don’t want to do anything but be spectators to become participators.
I asked some of our new volunteers in Kid Connect to share with me what held them back from serving and to let me know what God has done in their life since that time. One that really struck me was from Rick Burns. Rick is an amazing guy! He has the zest and zeal for life that you just want to bottle up and take in each morning. He loves people and has fallen in love with the kids that he serves each week. Here is a little bit of his story:
I had long thought about how I could contribute to the local church and remained on the sidelines wondering if I could make a difference. With my service to the Kid Connect Team, which is a true source of joy, I am able to honor our Lord, who has given so very much to my life. What a great way to add significance and meaning in life by giving my time, my enthusiasm and my passion for the Lord. It is so great to see the kids thirst to know about God and to help make an impact in their spiritual growth.
During these tough times, stepping outside of our concerns and giving to others, is truly what greaterlove is all about.<br /> Serve. You will be blessed. It is an amazing privilege. Share the gifts God has given you with His body. Why not?

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