Day 21: Volunteer

entire series listed here

J-O-Y...Jesus-Other-You, is the best way to spell joy. Our action today focuses on the others part of joy.

Today's call to action is to volunteer. To volunteer is to freely offer to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task.

Volunteering is both doing something without expectations of compensation and it is also offering to do something without the crunch being put on you.

People who volunteer are happier people because they are investing in other's lives. Volunteering is an investment. It does cost you. It costs time, talent and sometimes even money.

In this day and age, volunteering takes many, many forms. You can volunteer civically, privately, or at church. Volunteers are the fuel that make many enterprises and ministries possible.

You can volunteer to...

listen to a child read. Kids only become good readers through practice. But listening to a child practice reading can be very tedious (annoying, time consuming, hair-pulling...can you tell I've taught several kids how to read?) Whether at a school or for a home school mom, this is a very easy, low effort  and necessary task that blesses both the child and their teacher.

be a chauffeur. There are many (especially older) people who love to shop and such, but need a ride. Or they need someone to drive them to doctors appointments. Very practical.

teach a Sunday School class. Adult or children, I don't think I have ever heard of a church that couldn't use another Sunday School teacher.

dish out soup. Soup kitchens and homeless shelters are very busy this time of year. Serving food to those who have less than you is a great way to realign priorities and attitudes.

cook or clean. For a shut in, a new mom, an expectant mom, or...

race official. All the races I have participated in rely very heavily on people from the community-to direct the runners and traffic, pass out refreshments and t-shirts, and much more.

shelve books. At your local library or your church.

usher. At the symphony or at church or at a conference.

coach. A baseball team, or a soccer team.

our volunteering opportunity in the Asia Pacific region

There is so many things to be done. No matter what your talents or interests are, there is a way you can share the load with someone else. Volunteering is one way that the body of Christ demonstrates the sacrificial and abundant love of Christ to each other, Christ and nonbelievers.

Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these MY brothers, you have done it unto Me. (Matthew 25:40)

What volunteer opportunities will you look in to today? Tell me in the comments.