Why I Serve

Although I've never considered myself to have a green thumb, I decided to plant a garden this year to grow fresh vegetables. Seasoned gardeners may take this process for granted, but I find myself marveling at how a handful of tiny seeds transform, in a matter of weeks, from small sprouts to mature plants that recently ended up in my smoothie! We won't be "going off the grid" anytime soon, but are enjoying the harvest so far.

In a similar way, that process of cultivating growth out of small seeds is how God works in my small steps to serve others, cultivating and multiplying benefits in my life beyond what I could have imagined. Whether volunteering at Eagle Brook, in the community, or in other parts of the world, it started with a prompting or opportunity that required a step on my part. I could only see the small seed in each situation as I focused on what I was going to do for others, but along the way I grew and benefited in ways that amazed me later on down the road.

Serving helped me become aware of and leverage my God-given gifts and strengths.

One of the first steps I took into serving was identifying how God wired me to serve others. Over 15 years ago, I discovered my top spiritual gifts were administration and hospitality, so I started serving at the Information Desk. Later, as I was asked to lead a team of volunteers, I was encouraged to take StrengthsFinder to identify my top strengths. Identifying those strengths benefited me beyond my serving role and helped me to develop as a leader. I shared what I learned with my boss at work. He encouraged our entire team to go through StrengthsFinder and gave me the opportunity to lead a team development session on understanding our combined strengths.

I continue to identify how I am uniquely created by God to live out his purposes in my life because that is when He shines the brightest through me. When you get to serve in your sweet spot, you find yourself not only looking forward to the next time you get to serve, but you also leave happier than when you arrived. It supports the findings of a research study I recently read about at the London School of Economics regarding the correlation between volunteering and measures of happiness. They found that, the more people volunteered, the happier they were. I guess that explains why I find myself smiling and laughing so much each time I volunteer.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20

Serving helped me get connected and develop lasting relationships.

Through serving, my family has developed valuable relationships as we connected with other volunteers and attenders. We have two young adult daughters who feel known and valued, evident by their habit of getting to church early so they have time to visit with some of their favorite people. If it takes a village to raise a child, much of that village has developed through those we have met while serving in guest services, kids ministry, and the cafe.

Those valued friendships and mentors have had a significant impact on our lives. It was through serving regularly on a weekend that my husband and I got to know a few other couples, and we formed a small group with them. Over the past five years, that group has provided encouragement and support through pivotal life events and challenges. Our group also has a shared value to serve the needs of others in our community, and we enjoy serving food alongside each other for various events. It was through one of the couples that we were introduced to a global serving opportunity that lead our family to travel with a YWAM Homes of Hope team to Mexico last winteran experience that deepened existing relationships and cultivated new ones. My daughter and her fiance had been searching for a small group for months, and through that shared experience they connected with another couple and started a group last spring.

Serving has deepened my relationship with God.

I was recently asked to share my faith story for the first time, which required me to look back on major life events and experiences that impacted my faith journey and who I am today. Although I had committed my life to Christ prior to serving at church or embarking on mission trips, it was through those opportunities that I realized how much I needed to rely on God and seek his guidance. It was where I got to witness His miracles first-hand as I stepped into the flow of what He was doing in the lives of others. I started connecting with Him daily through time in the Bible and in prayer.

In a season of life that can feel overwhelming as a working mom, wife, and daughter of aging parents, there have been times I could have let the challenges, uncertainties, and demands overtake me. Yet, through those daily times connecting with God, my soul was refreshed and I was instilled with a calming sense of peace. Like the lyrics of Hillsong United's Oceans, it was through those moments that I was able to keep my eyes above the waves as my soul rested in God's embrace.

And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Maybe you've experienced your own life-changing impact through serving. If so, we'd love to hear your story. Or, you may feel prompted to take a step into serving at church, in your community, or globally. Be encouraged that those small steps can grow into a multitude of benefits that will amaze you!