I’m looking for a service opportunity, something regular, something that fits who I am. The sermon this morning was a call to serving, and refreshingly it was not an appeal to be an usher or a nursery worker. It was a call to serve outside the church, and I have been feeling for some time like I am missing something. I’ve spent a lot of time alone, a lot of time in introspection, and as an introvert, I am really energized by my time alone. But with all that time alone, I now have a lot of positive energy stored up and God, I believe, has planted this longing in me.
I don’t know that I’m necessarily on the hunt for some holy enterprise, some Christian para-church organization to serve. Actually, probably not. I mean, I’m sure they need Upward Basketball volunterers like crazy somewhere.
Nor am I necessarily looking for manual labor—raking the leaves of the elderly in my community, for example. I’m not opposed to this, but I’m already in a job where my greatest gifts are not really utilized, and though I love being outdoors and working with my hands, I get more than enough of that with my job.
I don’t need to lead something, though I guess you could say organizing a book club is leading something that is service oriented. But I’m doing that more for myself than anything. I, selfishly, want to read those books and talk about them with others.
If the “Inner Light” offers a way of guiding my steps, is my approach simply to walk in the direction the light seems to shine? I feel like I’m too passive much of the time, waiting to be called upon by others to step in. I never pursued any job promotion or change in role—I was always approached and invited. Is it wrong to pursue opportunities for service?
I have thought of asking people where they thought I might best be used and see what comes of that. I have some energy and some time, is what I’m saying, but I’m low on ideas for where to plug in and help.
Am I the only one?
