The most selfish reason to volunteer
There may be a surprisingly selfish reason to volunteer at the Gospel Mission.
And I mean that in the best possible way.
Imagine this:
It’s lunchtime.
You’re sitting across the table from a man named Zebulon who has probably had a week you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy.
Maybe he lost his apartment.
Maybe addiction has been chewing pieces off his life.
Maybe his family stopped answering the phone.
Maybe he simply ran out of places to go.
You hand him a plate of food.
He says:
“Thank you.”
Two words.
Nothing earth-shattering.
No choir of angels.
No beam of heavenly light shooting through the soup kitchen ceiling.
Just...
“Thank you.”
But something strange happens.
You came there thinking you were going to help him.
Then you walk out realizing...
He helped you, too.
Because we live in a world that is incredibly good at keeping us busy...
...and strangely bad at making us feel useful.
We scroll.
We shop.
We watch TV.
We complain about the state of the world.
And Lord knows there’s plenty to complain about.
But none of that feels quite like looking another human being in the eye and knowing:
For the last hour, I mattered to somebody.
Researchers studying volunteer work have found something interesting.
People who volunteer often report greater purpose, life satisfaction, social connection, and a stronger sense of community.
Which doesn't surprise me much.
Jesus gave us the principle a long time before researchers started putting it into spreadsheets:
When we serve “the least of these,” something happens to us, too.
And you don't need a theology degree.
You don't need to be wealthy.
You don't need some dazzling talent.
You can:
Serve meals in the soup kitchen.
Sort donations in the thrift store.
Sit down at lunch and actually listen to someone who may feel like the rest of the world has forgotten them.
Sometimes the greatest gift isn't the plate.
It's the person holding it.
And here's something else:
Don't make the mistake of thinking you have to change somebody's entire life.
That's too big a burden.
Just show up.
Serve one meal.
Sort one box.
Learn one name.
Listen to one story.
Be one small light in what can be a very dark day.
That's enough.
And you might discover the person whose life gets nudged in a different direction...
is yours.
We have a place for you at the Silver City Gospel Mission.
See how you can volunteer with us
Come serve.
Come listen.
Come see what happens when faith gets up out of the pew...
rolls up its sleeves...
and goes to work.
-Randy Salars.