It has been said, "Mercenaries will defeat draftees, but volunteers will crush them both." Mercenaries are people who driven by money to accomplsih tasks. Draftees are people who are forced to accomplish tasks. Volunteers are people who are driven by heart and passion and faith to accomplish tasks.
From my perspective, I validate the above statement to be true. Forcing me to do a task will not produce a good product or outcome. Financial compensation is not a sustaining motivation for me to accomplish a task at a high level. But if I volunteer for a task, I will have sustaining motivation for the task and most likely produce a product or outcome at a high level.
When I first became a follower of Christ my mentor often asked me, "What would you do with your time even if you were not getting paid for it?" That question assisted me in discovering what God wanted me to do with my life, instead of letting salary levels determine what I did with my life. And I have no regrets in what God has called me to do with my life, and sometimes I think it is comical that I get compensated for things that I would do with my life any way.
I always wanted to be a baseball coach and win titles, but God did not allow that to happen. God called me to be a pastor and as a friend reminded me years ago, a pastor is like being a life coach. Instead of building people through the game of baseball, God has called me to build people through scripture and the church. And to this day I would strive to build people each day through scripture whether I got compensated or not.
I have come to recognize that there is great power and inspiration in volunteers! That is why the church should have great power; Christ is our Head and each follower of Christ is gifted and empowered by the Holy Spirit to do good works as a volunteer. Each follower of Christ has a place and opportunity to scratch the itch of his or her God-ordained passion.
What would you do with your time even if you did not receive compensation for it? Why do you think God puts so much trust in volunteers?
Let's play catch! It's your turn to throw!
Joey-
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more and that is why I have found a home at Gateway. I for one am thankful God planted you as our coach rather than that of a baseball team. I love how service oriented and volunteer driven Gateway is...and I think we may be hitting some homeruns for God (or at least some triples)! It's actually quite perfect timing that you shared this statement "Mercenaries will defeat draftees, but volunteers will crush them both." Many people I work with do not understand why I love doing mission work. When I try to explain, its almost as if they mock my faith at times. They do not understand why I would PAY money to go and volunteer, to do manual labor. Why I would pay to stay somewhere you cannot flush, no A/C and take two minute showers? If they only new that what I am paying is more than a cost, it is an investment. Volunteering, even paying to volunteer is an investment in my heart, my faith, and for those I serve.
I had a job which enabled me to serve and love on others. That employment dissolved with the economy. However, I am still finding people to serve and love on and I am getting the same amount of satisfaction and reward, although there is no paycheck at the end of the week. God has put me here to extend His hand and love on His people. I am honored to be a part of something so rich.
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