PM - Article: Service...an Act of Obedience

Service...an Act of Obedience
By Steve Schwartz

The scriptures are clear; to be great in God’s eyes you must be a servant of others (Mark 11:43-45).

As we think on this, our volunteers come to mind, those people who faithfully give of their time and talents in service to our residents. We need our volunteers to help prepare meals on weekends, rake leaves, answer the telephone, prepare the newsletter for mailing, and the list goes on.

Image of weekend volunteers serving in the kitchen But even more important, they make an impact by taking an interest in the lives of our residents. When Paul and Kathleen sit and talk over the dinner table, when Tim, Cindy and their children move in to Paxton Street Home for a weekend of service, when Beth or Beulah handle resident needs with love and dignity through the office window, when Alvin and Thata pray with a resident that is going through a difficult time...when these people and others serve as they do, ministry happens. And God is pleased.

It isn’t easy to simplify the gospel message into a mere formula. Even after three years spent with the Son of God, the disciples had doubts and questions. Jesus modeled the Kingdom of God through his lifestyle and actions. He lived what He preached, and resisted narrowing the Christian life to words only. This is how God chose to reveal His Kingdom: sending His son to live alongside those who needed Him most.

And this is what we at Paxton Ministries desire to do. We strive to model Christ’s love, not in a simplistic way, but by living side by side those who need Him most. We follow Christ’s call to minister to the whole person: body, mind and spirit. Over the years, through ups and downs, through trials and joys, we walk side by side with our residents and they with us. When people see the Kingdom worked out before their eyes, then they’ll believe. Our volunteers play a vital role in this by sharing their lives.

I’ll admit, I think some residents get tired of seeing my face everyday. (Betty just said "Amen!") But our volunteers are fresh faces. They are like the extended family members of our community. They come with no other motive than that of love and service. And our residents, especially those without active or involved family, are deeply touched by the fact that these special people keep coming back.

So we celebrate our volunteers. They are people who have learned that when you give your love away, you are blessed in ways you could not have imagined. And when ministering to someone in need, we are ministering to Jesus (Matthew 25:40). Mother Teresa said, "The worst disease in the world is not AIDS, cancer or even leprosy. The worst disease in the world is feeling unwanted." To each volunteer, I say thanks. Blessings on you for sharing your lives with us. And thank you for bringing love and meaning to the lives of those who may have felt unwanted.

Three part series on the importance we place on the support we receive from the surrounding community:
Article #1: Giving...an Act of Worship
Article #2: Service...an Act of Obedience
Article #3: Prayer...an Act of Dependence

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