The Journey Continues: Volunteering continued

My journey continues from last week about volunteers, and the Holy Spirit reminded me that volunteering and caring are closely related. Volunteers work without being paid, but they will get paid later. What comes to mind are volunteer firefighters, hospital guild members, auxiliary school volunteers, unpaid sports coaches, volunteers at Meals on Wheels, CASA workers, members of the Lions, the Rotary, the Kiwanis and also everyone who volunteers at their church. You can add others to this list as well. On caring, there is the story of David in the Old Testament:

"Look to my right and see, no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge, no one cares for my life. I cry to you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.'" Psalm 142:4-5 (NIV)

As he hid from King Saul, David prayed to the Lord trusting that God would pull him through the danger which surrounded him. God answered his prayer. Volunteers often assist people who cry out for help — delivering care, comfort and empathy. From my own journey, I have been blessed by many who care. I remember a time when, as a young soldier riding in an Army convoy, after an intense infantry training, all the trucks came to a stop, and we were ordered to dismount, take off our boots and socks, lie down and point our dogs (feet) upward towards the sky. The commander walked the length of the convoy and personally touched every foot, inspecting for blisters. That man cared and I have never forgotten him. To be a great leader requires a caring heart. The Bible teaches us rules for right living.

“And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is, namely this, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31 (KJV)

Love is expressed through caring and volunteering.