Make Your Community Better, part four

2 Corinthians 9:7

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Part Four: Give with a passion

Show some passion for doing what you love. Many people get involved in a job they love, but allow the mundaneness of everyday life to drag all the joy out of it. After a while, they are burned out and uninterested in something that used to make them excited to go to work. 

If this is you, take a moment to reflect on the reasons you used to love what you do. Find out if there is anything still in you that thrills you about that job. You can make a list of ways you used to do things and revisit them one by one to see if you can revitalize your passion. 

Then jump in. Dive into your job with renewed vigor. Use your job as a ministry where you can serve your coworkers and customers with the renewed passion that is building up in you.

Serve with verve. Give to others with exuberance and put some pep in your step. 

Coming up: Part Five! 

Want to start at the beginning? Here's Part One.

Make Your Community Better, part three

Matthew 5:41  

If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.

Part Three: Give your job the extra effort

Part Two was about having a work ethic. This is about putting in the extra effort.

There are many ways to go above and beyond. One is taking advantage of the opportunities that pop up without warning. This requires you to be observant, selfless, and generous.

You can turn “Must I” into “May I”. For instance, don’t say, “Must I pick up after someone else?” Instead, turn that into, “May I pick up that trash on the floor for you?” Offering to clear a table or put away items that were out for a project will set the example for others. You can do a quiet gift of service and see others learning in your wake. Start a tidal wave of good deeds in your community with small daily acts.

Attitude shows up in the body language. You’ll be impressive when people see the twinkle of joy in your eye as you serve others without whining. Just doing the job is one thing, but doing it with a smile is impressive. 

Coming up: Part Four! 

Want to start at the beginning? Here's Part One.

Make Your Community Better, part two

Ephesians 2:10

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Part Two: Have a work ethic

A work ethic isn’t just about working at your career. You can give your effort to cleaning up after picnic in the park. You can put a little more care and concern for others in whatever you spend your time on. 

If you buy a hamburger at a fast food restaurant, you expect them to have a consistently good product and consistent service. If you expect that from others, you can give that. Shouldn’t we consider what we give to our community on a daily basis? 

Doing good works that God has prepared in advance is easier when you always give your best—just because you can. No one else can use your gifts the way you do. It’s your choice to bring you’re A-game wherever you go.

Be prepared. In your job, at home, or at play, you know what you will need to have with you. Try to have what you need in advance of needing it. This makes you look good to your friends, family, and employer. 

Keep reading! Here's Part Three. 

Want to see Part One? It's right here.

The Harvest is Plentiful

Luke 10:2

The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

With all of the evacuations out of hurricane-affected areas, many people in the greater Houston area found themselves in a shelter with hundreds, if not thousands of others. In early August, none of them would have guessed they’d be sleeping on a cot, an air mattress, or even the floor before September arrived.

These people needed necessities. They were being given free room and board at the shelters. Meals were being donated by charities and random generous people. Having to swallow their pride is difficult for some, but necessary.

In their current circumstances, they still have major needs.

Among all the other needs, these people need comfort. It is difficult to have your normal life taken away by flooding and high winds. If we can give them something to bring a smile and help them not think about their stress and frustrations, we should do it.

How can you help them? Give with your prayers.

Most people accept prayer. Be bold. Ask someone if they’d like you to pray with them for God’s sustaining presence through all of the coming months of recovery. A lot of people will let you pray with them. Serious times require serious conversations about spiritual topics.

God’s love has been shared in all kinds of ways in shelters and in neighborhoods. Love comes to those in need in the form of food, blankets, medical attention, and prayers.

If you plan to donate to the organizations caring for those affected by the hurricanes, don’t forget to pray for the victims to reach out for and receive God’s comforting presence too. It doesn’t take much time to pray for, or even pray with, people to receive God’s wisdom and comfort.

Don’t overlook this time when many will be ready to receive Jesus as their Savior.

We Must Help The Weak

Acts 20:35

“…we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

“Home is where the heart is” takes on a different meaning when you don’t actually have a home to go home to.

Plenty of people are in need of help in Florida and Texas after hurricanes have destroyed billions of dollars of property. Depending on where they lived, some people have very little to go home to. Some have saved important belongings because of their ability to prepare for the storm quickly. If they didn’t live in a flood plain, they probably didn’t have flood insurance and will have to repair what they can when they can. 

I know several people whose homes were damaged. Unfortunately, I can’t help all of them. So I’ve been helping my mom. Her home was flooded last year by the same river whose banks overflowed again this year. We knew we had to help her prepare for the storm by putting furniture in a storage facility that would likely stay dry until she can move it all back into her home. We saved what we could, but now we’re helping to remove flood-damaged drywall and flooring that was less than a year old.

Today, help where you can. If you have neighbors struggling with their own hurricane recovery, offer to lend a hand. If you live far away from the disasters, consider praying and giving online. 

Many who live away from the weather-affected areas are checking on friends who live along the Texas Gulf Coast and in Florida. They’re asking two things:

• How can I help?
• What do you need?

Both of those questions are appreciated by those who are overwhelmed with the new To Do list that they weren’t anticipating. Many people in my neighborhood are helping where they can, either by donating supplies or volunteering their time.

During this time of need for so many people, find out what the need is in your local area. Pay attention to the requests for help from your friends and neighbors. Volunteer with an organization that is serving the community.

Use your gifts and help where you can. It is appreciated by those who are overwhelmed by their need. God sees your generous heart and your busy hands. Let him direct your activity.

And let me be the first to say, “Thanks!”