It is difficult to be a happy Christian without serving others. According to Dr. Jeanne Segal and Lawrence Robinson on Volunteering and its Surprising Benefits, “Human beings are hard-wired to give to others. The more we give, the happier we feel.”  So, there you have it from the experts — it is in our DNA to find joy in giving to others. God created us that way. 

I remember when I first became aware that there was something wrong with the world. I was eight years old in a classroom of 70 children. South Korea was still recovering from the devastating war and poverty was rampant, but I was oblivious of it until that day when, during lunch time, I noticed my classmates who were not eating. They sat at their desks with their little hands folded around a cup of cold water while I was unpacking my shiny red lunch case that contained a red thermos with hot tea, and a bento box my mom had prepared for me.  It dawned on me that these kids never ate lunch. Never. I saw for the first time their hands all cracked from the bitter cold, their coatless, hunched bodies shivering during recess. My young mind knew that this was wrong, that something had to be done. The next day, I shared my hot tea and lunch with some of the kids. 

Fast forward 20 years to the streets of Manhattan when, just after accepting Christ as my Savior,  I started noticing the homeless. For a few months I thought I was going nuts because I kept bursting into tears. I handed out food, water, and money on my way to and from work. I was compelled to help, to do something. I did for a time…and then I stopped when the demands of my job overtook my life. Eventually, the desire to help disappeared, the homeless became faceless, and I was holding tightly to my handbag with my eyes averted. But I knew I was not meant to be this way.    

When a Christian starts to do the will of God, the enemy will attempt to prevent it with the demands of life. He knows that a Christian who obeys God is a powerful being. Rick Warren begins his book, The Purpose Driven Life, with these piercing words, “It’s not about you.”  Through those four words, God reminded me that He had shown me His purpose for me in that classroom in Korea and then 20 years later with the homeless in New York. Rick Warren writes, “The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment… If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by his purpose and for his purpose.” God designed each of us to do good works to bring glory to Him.  Jesus describes us as “the light of the world” and “a city on top of a hill.”  And when we do good works in His name, we emit a brilliant light that the world will see and give glory to God.  One candle will provide some light, but if all of us at Transformation Life Church served together… better yet, with all the Christians in the US and beyond — wow — what a blinding light we would be! We are stronger together. 

In The Cause Within You, Matthew Barnett says, “It doesn’t take a person with unusual ability to change the world. All it takes is a heart that cares, a mind that’s determined, a spirit that’s willing, a cause that matters, and a person to help.”  He states that “God’s vision for your life is huge, but you accomplish it through a series of tiny steps… Every little thing you do matters; there is no wasted effort in God’s Kingdom.” We were created to give our lives away for His Kingdom…for people. This is the heart of God.   

“Every little thing you do matters; there is no wasted effort in God’s Kingdom.” I love that. I encourage you to meditate on that as you continue this journey to live out God’s call for your life. 

Helpful Resources

Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life, Grand Rapids, MI, Zondervan, 2002

Matthew Barnett, The Cause Within You, Barna Books, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2011