Good intentions

I found a quote some time ago, but I can't remember where it came from:

Service:
I have never told anyone that it is the easiest, In fact, it is the hardest.
The willingness to serve is not sitting home and saying, "Call me."  The willingness to serve is going, and saying, "Is there something here I can do to assist you?"
That is willingness to serve.
It is not just clear intention.  It is intention made clear by going and presenting yourself where the service is needed.

I like it!

I think we all have good intentions - to get up an do something - especially in the "Service for God".  As for physically getting up - out of our comfort zone - and doing it, is another story.

I have finished week 3 of my Salvation Army - Public Relations (Wills and Bequests) role, and I am loving every minute.

The stories of how people have had contact with the "Salvo's" over many, many years is a humbling experience - people are thanking ME for this!  People are happy to give, either regularly, annually or by bequest, because the Salvo's have the reputation of serving the needs of others - without discrimination.  What a privilege to be part of this organisation.

I thank God for those who have heard the call to serve others daily - as part of their day to day "job".  I know it wouldn't be an easy task, and probably a thankless one, but one with it's own reward some day.

Matthew 25 (NIV).

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.
32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,
43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
45 “He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”


I was reminded of the song we used to sing (and play) a few years ago that speaks about how God knows our thoughts and intentions - and our depth of devotion too.

Lord you know that we love you
You know our thoughts and intentions
Know the depth of devotion
Found in our lives today
If our love has weakened
If our fervour has waned
Turn us lord by your spirit
Let us love with love unfeigned

Lord you know that we love
Help that love to be true
Fill our lives your spirits power
Lord of love make us strong
We who to Christ belong

Lord you know that we failed you
Our sins how sorely the grieve you
Many times have we fallen
Lord lift us up again
May we walk to be worthy
On the call that is ours
May your will and your purpose
Claim our undivided hours

Lord you know that we love
Help that love to be true
Fill our lives your spirits power
Lord of love make us strong
We who to Christ belong


I'll leave you with another quote;

"'Not called!' did you say? 'Not heard the call,' I think you should say. Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear him bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin. Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help. Go stand by the gates of hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go to their father's house and bid their brothers and sisters, and servants and masters not to come there. And then look Christ in the face, whose mercy you have professed to obey, and tell him whether you will join heart and soul and body and circumstances in the march to publish his mercy to the world."
William Booth