Why does anyone ever volunteer for anything? Serving food at soup kitchens, pounding nails to build someone else’s house, teaching strangers’ children to read… This behavior goes completely against our animal survival instinct which urges us to play it safe and save all our resources for ourselves.

God is the reason we have an urge to give and to serve. He built His children with compassion, empathy, and love.

If I listen to God’s voice, I can hear Him calling me to help, to look up from my needs and notice the needs of others. He could meet their needs without me, but He loves me and knows the joy that comes from giving. He created me to find fulfillment in that way.

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord asking: Who will I send? Who will go for us? I said: Here I am. Send me.” (Isaiah‬ ‭6‬:‭8,‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

God didn’t need Isaiah to give the people His message, but He invited Isaiah anyway because He loved him and wanted him to find purpose and meaning in his chaotic world.

It’s easy to be distracted and derailed from compassion and generosity by the clamoring selfishness around me, so I take time every day to listen. What is God calling me to do today?

Dear God,

Thank you for letting me participate in your loving work. I’m sorry for the times when I close my ears to your call and focus on myself. It is a great joy to serve you by serving others in need. Remind me of that today. Here I am. Send me.