Go

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "you shall love your neighbor as yourself."

Galatians 5:13-14

This past Saturday was our small group's Go-Op day, which is our church's slogan for service project. Our group tries to get out in the community and serve at least once a quarter. This time we worked with Brown Bag Ministries and I can't say enough good things about Crystal and her vision and how she's a living example of just how much one person can impact the lives of so many people in such a huge way.  She faithfully sacrifices her 1st and 3rd Saturday mornings each month, rain or shine, to help people in need. We bagged groceries and packed lunches and then headed down to Galveston to distribute them along with donated clothing and hygiene care packages to the homeless and needy. Our church is big on encouraging everybody to get out and serve others and how powerful of an experience it can be, and they are absolutely right. Of course the main motivation is to help others, but it's also such a rewarding growth experience to volunteer. It's great to build relationships with others in the community and to use our time to glorify God and to encounter Him as we seek to be Christ-like with compassion and love for people we have never met -- perfect strangers, yes, but our brothers and sisters in Christ.


It was an emotional morning. To see the horrible living conditions of so many people was very sad, but to see their gratitude and the hope in their eyes and to be able to pray with them was extremely moving. They were grateful for the food, yes, but I think even more significant was knowing that they have people out there who care about them and that they are not forgotten. You walk into the situation thinking that you are there to help others but in the end it seems like maybe they actually helped you much more. I'm a little embarrassed to admit just how much I needed to be humbled. On the drive down there we were all daydreaming about one day owning a lake house and how much fun that would be. We were dreaming of owning not just one, but two homes, while we were driving  to help people with zero homes. And not that wanting nice things makes you a bad person -- I'm not saying that -- it's just that I think it's so easy to get comfortable in our lifestyles and out of touch with the huge reality of poverty and suffering in this world, even as close as in our own backyard.

I've always had a heart for charity but never had the guts to get myself out there and actually do something until I joined a small group and had the encouragement and accountability. So if you are like me and have an interest in community outreach but need a little push, I would so encourage you to do it. There are so many great charities out there countless ways to help and I promise you will walk away feeling like it was time well spent. Here's a way to start.