The following series has been impressed upon my heart after having served in Disaster Relief for fire victims. I will be sharing some stories with you about the survivors. The names will be changed to provide privacy for those whose lives are still being put back together. This is not about me, but what God can do through us when we reach out to help others and trust in Him.
Stay and Do What? 1st Impression
As the call came out for Chaplains to serve in Northern California for fire victims, my heart was stirred to go…but what did I know about people who had lost everything due to fire damage? I was at the beginning of a huge learning curve and another opportunity to be the hands and feet that serve in love.
Galatians 5:13, “My friends, you were chosen to be free. So don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do anything you want. Use it as an opportunity to serve each other with love.” (CEV)
I was assigned to serve at the church were we were staging as kitchen help and then relief for the person who was leaving and in charge of the shower and laundry unit. Now wait I thought you were a Chaplain? Well, yes I am…but first I need to have a willing attitude to go and do whatever needs to be done. Okay…yes at first my heart ached to be out with those who where going to the disaster sites. But you know what, God knew exactly where I needed to be.
Philippians 4:13, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (NIV)
Even when it means doing laundry and cleaning showers.
You see those who had lost their homes in the fire were without electricity and water…so they came to the church for food, clothing, laundry service and a hot shower. I was given the chance to serve many more than if I had been on just one home site each day.
Lesson learned-God plants you exactly where He wants you to serve.
“The purpose of Christianity is not to avoid difficulty, but to produce a character adequate to meet it when it comes. It does not make life easy; rather it tries to make us great enough for life.” James L. Christensen
Is there somewhere you are intended to go? Are you avoiding being there because it is not what you feel you want to do? Is your life just one self-filled week after another? Why not take the first step in giving of self for others? You will find it worth your time, because when you think about it…is any of the time we have been given, anything other than a gift from the Lord? Then why not use it for the benefit of others?
John 15:13, “The greatest love you can have for your friends is to give your life for them.” (GNT)
Thanksgiving & Christmas are just around the corner…go…give the gift of your time…be there for someone who needs the love of God in their life!
Stay and Do What? 1st Impression
As the call came out for Chaplains to serve in Northern California for fire victims, my heart was stirred to go…but what did I know about people who had lost everything due to fire damage? I was at the beginning of a huge learning curve and another opportunity to be the hands and feet that serve in love.
Galatians 5:13, “My friends, you were chosen to be free. So don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do anything you want. Use it as an opportunity to serve each other with love.” (CEV)
I was assigned to serve at the church were we were staging as kitchen help and then relief for the person who was leaving and in charge of the shower and laundry unit. Now wait I thought you were a Chaplain? Well, yes I am…but first I need to have a willing attitude to go and do whatever needs to be done. Okay…yes at first my heart ached to be out with those who where going to the disaster sites. But you know what, God knew exactly where I needed to be.
Philippians 4:13, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (NIV)
Even when it means doing laundry and cleaning showers.
You see those who had lost their homes in the fire were without electricity and water…so they came to the church for food, clothing, laundry service and a hot shower. I was given the chance to serve many more than if I had been on just one home site each day.
Lesson learned-God plants you exactly where He wants you to serve.
“The purpose of Christianity is not to avoid difficulty, but to produce a character adequate to meet it when it comes. It does not make life easy; rather it tries to make us great enough for life.” James L. Christensen
Is there somewhere you are intended to go? Are you avoiding being there because it is not what you feel you want to do? Is your life just one self-filled week after another? Why not take the first step in giving of self for others? You will find it worth your time, because when you think about it…is any of the time we have been given, anything other than a gift from the Lord? Then why not use it for the benefit of others?
John 15:13, “The greatest love you can have for your friends is to give your life for them.” (GNT)
Thanksgiving & Christmas are just around the corner…go…give the gift of your time…be there for someone who needs the love of God in their life!
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