Manure, Lights, and Gifts

Breakfast dishes are cleared off tables in the cafeteria. Leader stands up, people turn to face him. The whole group breaks out singing, "Today we're working for Jesus...." Leader lists off four hundred projects, and two weeks later, they’re all finished.

Volunteering has been my family’s joy for the past five years. But sometimes I wonder, just why do we love doing this so very much? It’s hard work. The days are long. Two weeks is so long. It’s dirty (manure, anyone?). Most times, we sleep on hard bunk beds. We could have the good food and fellowship in so many other cleaner, easier ways.

But the name of this organization offers a clue: an ancient Aramaic phrase found in the Bible that means “The Lord is coming.” It’s a plea. It’s a rallying cry. It’s the very reason that we live.

This is also the mission of Here I Am Send Me 360: Sharing the good news of Jesus coming again, all across the whole world. Motivating young people to be the army for the Lord, finishing the work. Using media for God’s work.

I am one of those people who wants to run to the darkest corners of the globe just so I can shine a light, His light, on the faces there. At this point, that’s not a possibility for me. But there are so many little things I can do. And usually? The smallest things make the biggest impression.

So that’s why I’m here today, writing for Here I Am Send Me 360. The Lord is coming. God gave me a gift, just so I could use it for Him. So I choose to shine my little light in my little corner, no matter how hard it may be. Because when we are willing to use our little gift, He always grows it.