Why do we serve?

This is my devotion for our summer servant trip info night...but I think it provides some food for thought...

I’ve been thinking a lot about all the great things that I get to watch students do in the summer months. I also get to watch the Trinity and Lansdale communities come together in support of causes that mean a great deal to them. But as I began preparing for next summer and the meeting tonight, I couldn’t help but wonder if we’ve missed out on something. Don’t get me wrong…I’ve witnessed amazing things but I felt something was missing.

So what was that niggling feeling? I guess I’ve sung my friend Pastor Lou’s favorite song too many times. It’s on the table in front of you: “Beauty for Brokenness.” The image of those words is what servant trips are about. And it is through the amazing love of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit that these words come alive when we talk about serving God or use our time, talent, and treasures. Service is about listening to a story of hope or pounding nails into a stud to build a roof or a wall.

Unfortunately, sometimes we get so caught up in the “going on a trip” or the “I want to use a power tool” that our purpose gets lost in translation. Instead of being privileged to help others, we can go into a situation feeling like saviors. We can forget the cultural differences and alienate the people that we are there to help. We close our eyes to the simple pleasures and look for the best way to play a prank on our team.

This song…Beauty for Brokenness…it runs through my head and reminds me that I am blessed beyond measure. As I sing the words, I see the images from TV and magazines of weather ravaged countried and war-torn places. I see the strength of people as they cling to what they have and know that I have the wherewithal to help them out. And while the verses speak to many things wrong in the world, they also cause us to cry out to God that we may be the hands that help to change just a bit of the world. We pray for compassion and spark and hope.

That’s why we serve…to lighten the darkness and to bring justice to those without. To make homes safer, to share sunshine and love with those in need, to provide sanctuary for all children, no matter where they are.

Summer 2008 is full of these opportunities. We are headed to Appalachia, New York, New Orleans, and Tanzania. Before we get there, we have the opportunity to help here in Lansdale and in Philadelphia. We serve because He(or she) first loved us.

Pray with me:
God of the poor and friend of the week, we come to you today as we begin preparations for our service trips this summer. Open our hearts to your presence and your purpose. We pray for compassion for those we serve and those we serve with. We pray for understanding and guidance. Let all that we do be for your glory and not ours. We ask these things through the one that showed compassion, love, and mercy to all. Amen.

The song "Beauty for Brokenness" is in the Worship and Praise supplement from Augsburg Fortress (or Purple #17 for those of you familiar). It is also known as "God of the Poor". It was written by Graham Kendrick. You can read the lyrics here at his site: http://www.grahamkendrick.co.uk/songs/lyrics/god_of_the_poor.htm

Thanks for reading,
Tina