 |
When "Someone" is You
By Edward Motschiedler
 |
| Photo: Andres Rodriguez |
My grandson is passionate about ice hockey. His parents do not need to bribe him to watch a hockey game or nag him to go play street hockey with the neighborhood boys. They wish he was equally passionate about cleaning his room and practicing the piano, but I guess a 7-year-old boy will be a 7-year-old boy.
What are you passionate about?
Monte Sahlin, director of research and special projects for the Ohio Conference, is passionate about urban ministry. Just ask him about a big city in the Columbia Union, and he can pull out charts and tables to tell you about their needs. Columbia Union president, Dave Weigley, is passionate about public evangelism. He still loves to conduct meetings and just finished one in West Virginia.
I have come to believe that one's passion could be discovered by the words "I think someone should ..." Let me explain: For years I felt that more Adventists should be involved in community organizations. I found a website that lists the volunteer organizations in Howard County, Maryland (where I live), and discovered scores of organizations that were looking for help. I am now that "someone" and serve on the board of the Howard County Community Action Council.
Some members of the Spencerville church in Silver Spring, Md., felt that "someone" should help the homeless in Washington, D.C., have a good lunch. They now serve sack lunches on Sabbath. While delivering lunches, one of the teenage volunteers noticed the need for warm clothing and felt that "someone" should make scarves and caps to give the homeless during the winter. She decided that "someone" could be her, so she invited the women in the church to attend knitting sessions and the "Keep in Stitches" program was born.
It is amazing to see what happens when a person thinks "someone should ...," catches the vision, and discovers their passion. I believe the Holy Spirit plants those "someone should..." ideas into the minds of those He is calling to do that very assignment. Of course, our first thought is that someone else should do the task. But the next time you think "someone should ...," I challenge you to listen to God's voice speaking to you, accept the assignment, and see what God will do through you. Trust me, it's exciting and rewarding to discover that the "someone" is really you.
______________________________
|
|
 |
|
|
|
