May 31, 2012

The Joy of Serving

One of the benefits of my job at Bridge is that I meet some of the most giving individuals I've ever seen here. Within the past few months, for example, I've seen not one but three volunteers come out to help at our events while enduring treatment for cancer. Ever seen a 70something woman straight out of the hospital leaning on a walker while orchestrating an event for a huge roomful of people down to the last detail? I have. It has been mind-blowing to see her and others like her worrying about things like serving a tasty, hot meal to the folks we serve while undergoing such harrowing experiences as chemo, radiation and surgery.  I've also seen volunteers struggling with serious chronic disease conditions such as Parkinson's and lung disease continue to work in our Mobility Center, providing reconditioned equipment like wheelchairs to those in need. And this is just in the past few months, mind you. I could tell you of many, many more instances if I reached back further. Simply amazing.


Since being involved with Bridge I've found it's actually not as uncommon as I'd once thought for people to make great personal sacrifices for others. I see it a lot here. I see parents of people living with developmental disabilities sacrificing nearly everything to try to provide well for their beloved family members, and even reaching out to help others in the same boat. I see volunteers who have their own health and other life challenges giving their limited time and energy to others. I see donors who have little to live on themselves giving whatever they can spare to those less fortunate. I see churches who are experiencing budget challenges in this difficult economy still continue to open their fellowship halls and provide meals to those we serve. And I see Bridge staff, who have also been impacted by budget cuts, still continue to give a good deal more of their time than we can afford to pay them for. I've even seen someone who has endured a lifetime of major health issues, who requires the help of a wheelchair to get around, and who cannot even feed herself, do fundraising to support Bridge programs for people living with all kinds of disabilities.  Not content to merely receive from others, she wants to give as well. Simply amazing.


I'm also a witness that these selfless servants drive home that old adage, "It is better to give than to receive." Now who was it who said that? Oh, that's right! It was Jesus Christ! Jesus Christ, who by his very life demonstrated the truth of that statement. The selfless servants I have met through Bridge have all learned this truth - and they live it - and they give joyfully. We who observe them learn about the joy of giving to others by their example. That's right, I said the JOY of giving. Because that's the real reason people give of themselves the way they do. They've discovered the secret  -  it brings them joy. It might seem counter-intuitive at first, but it is true. Giving to others does bring joy. Why? Because we were built that way. It's one of the clever ways God blessed us humans.  Simply amazing.


So - try it! You'll be hooked in no time. Instead of just going to the coffee shop for another latte, or going out to eat at a restaurant one more time, or shopping for yet another pair of shoes you'll hardly ever wear, or getting a new car this year even though last year's model runs just fine  -  or whatever transient material desire it is -  why not try adding something new and different? Try touching the life of someone who is blessed by your smile, your touch, your attention, your goodwill, your support. You'll agree, I'm sure. Simply amazing.


"In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” - Acts 20:35 NIV