(our theme for November)

In the area where we live, it is commonplace for clubs, organizations, and schools to require their members to conduct some number of hours in community service. I have often wondered if the individuals are just completing their assignments or if the organization is aggregating the sum of all the hours for their resume. Is it possible that the real intent is to develop a compassion for people in need and to gently push (yes, through a requirement) but still to gently guide people to give of themselves in the service of someone else?

Chapter Three of Colossians calls each of us to conviction for our earthly nature and all the bad things that come with it, let’s just call it sin. Setting aside our sin, we are reminded that as God’s chosen people, we are both holy and loved. We are called to put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. With these attributes in place, our community service takes on a whole new perspective as we find joy, not because we are serving someone less fortunate, but because we are serving another person loved by God.

Both of my daughters were required to perform a number of community service hours while in high school and the school gave them a list of approved activities. About this same time, they heard of a need for tutors at an inner city after-school program when the program director spoke at our church. Even though the tutor program was not on the approved list, they both asked if they could participate. For the next two plus years, they would spend time each week working with, playing with, and getting to know the kids in the program. The community service changed from being a task that filled a requirement (yes, they did eventually get it approved) into a time of joy because they looked forward to using their gifts and talents to help other, younger kids to be successful. I have no doubt that their gift of word and deed will be long remembered by those children.

So whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Father God, please help me to set aside my sinful nature and put on compassion, kindness, humility, making way for gentleness and patience as I have the opportunity to serve others. In that service, let me do it in the name of Jesus and to be thankful for your love to both me and those I am blessed to serve. Amen.

Presented by Owen Ragland.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.