...been awhile

Boy, its amazing how life really gets in the way of LIVING! Seem like we never have the time to do what we really want to do, because we are busy doing all the things that we "have" to do. Sometimes I have to remind myself that the only thing that I HAVE to do is die! Even God doesn't require us to worship him, or even believe that he exists. HE is the one that gave us "Free Will" and with that free will comes a life full of choices.

I want to take a moment to recognize one of the choices that my son Clay has chosen to make. He has Chosen to serve on the production team for the Elevate service here at Willow Creek Community Church, were I am a participating member. He serves every third week. Serving entails about 4 hours on Saturday night and another 5 hours on Sunday morning. I know, because I get to haul him back and forth. I'm sitting in the Willow atrium as I prepare this posting.

He works on the video team but has also been asked to contribute on the creative content side of the production as well. He enjoys it all, but the creative part really suits him well. The thing that I really want to focus on is his choice to Volunteer. In an "all about me" society, I am afraid that we are seeing fewer and fewer people that are willing to commit some part of their life to serving on others on a regular and consistent basis. Fortunately most people will still participate in and single event or an ad hoc support effort or emergency response. But those who make serving others a meaningful part of their lives seem to be rare.

Its never too late to adopt a servant's heart, but if you have children, I would urge you to do two things. First MODEL the behavior. We all know too well that our kids will mimic what we do, the good and the bad. Let them see you serving others. Let them see you serving Joyfully and Frequently. Then, encourage them to serve and support them when they do. The first part of that statement is easy. There are ample opportunities for everyone to serve. Helping them find a serving opportunity will take all of about 60 seconds (OK, it may take a little longer than that). Once they have made a choice to serve, you need to support them in that choice. That my friends is going to take a commitment on your part. It is yet one more stop on your taxi route. It is another calendar object that needs to "fit" into the family calendar. Heck, it may even involve a financial commitment on your part. The greatest single thing that anyone can give is their Time, but sometimes, a bit of cash doesn't hurt either.

Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.