After a week off to relax and recharge I came back to more than I bargained for! God decided that I need shown how much I love people. Which isn’t much.
I was challenged by volunteers with a heart to serve but a passion that might outweigh their ability. I was challenged to love them regardless. That’s hard. They are there freely giving of their time to serve God. They’re not there working for a paycheck so sometimes things have to slide.
You also have to realize that while they are there working they’ve got things they’re dealing with and inadvertently that affects their disposition. You know there are things that happen in your life that can affect your mood or the way you respond to things. Why would anyone else be any different.
Something I am learning as I deal with volunteers on a regular basis is while they’re there to serve and worship in a capacity, you’re also their outlet and their shoulder if they need it. It may not always manifest itself in an outpouring of tears or confessions. You’ve got to be prepped for anything. You have automatically stepped into the role of counselor without know it and you have to be able to read your team.
Are you a bunch of noise? Are the words coming out of your mouth not matching up with how you love? Mine aren’t. God’s forcing me to try my best though.
This isn’t just with how you handle volunteers either. It happens in dealing with other church staff. How you respond and how you love them in whatever they’re dealing with is crucial. I’ve forced myself to stop and pray for someone when I see them struggling instead of mentally cussing them out for doing something I don’t agree with (yes I do it…don’t lie to yourself you do it too).
How’s your love?
