Why Do You Serve?

"Everybody can be great because anybody can serve...You only need a heart full of grace; a soul generated by love. "

Martin Luther King, Jr.

What motivates us to serve?

Serving and volunteering to me are synonymous. After all, Semper Vita is partly about meaningful, missional volunteering. What we as Semper Vita people desire to do is serve people in the community. Now volunteering and providing opportunities isn't new. But lately, volunteering seems to be taking off. Of course people have always volunteered and served but now it appears to be surrounded with fanfare and more publicity. That leads me to ask a simple question: "Why do I serve? Why do I volunteer?"

For me worthwhile causes and the opportunity for lasting impact have been driving forces. I don't do it to be great but rather to make a difference. There are big issues and significant challenges that should be solved. I want to be part of the solution.

What is our focus?

Well hold on! Is there a difference between wanting to be great and wanting to have lasting impact? Just recently I realized that even the concept of serving to make a difference or change the world still revolves around me! People who've known me over the years probably heard me say at one point "I want to change the world." The problem with this statement is not my passion but my focus.

Instead of focusing on me, I need to keep my eyes on God. The key is to join Him where He is already working. (For more on that concept read Henry Blackaby's Experiencing God.) He's the only one who can truly heal, change and save people.

Why do I serve? I would have to say that God compels me. Often I don't really want to volunteer or serve because there's a cost. Sometimes when I feel that the cost is too great, I just don't do anything. This usually doesn't last long because when I don't give back and serve I feel so much less alive.

How about you? Why do you serve?

"I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve."

Albert Schweitzer