The Reluctant Volunteer
by Bill Latham, FBC member
Wait a minute! I didn’t know that was part of the job description. I had been teaching a class of married young adults about six weeks when the department director announced the month our department would be responsible for Room in the Inn. Huh? This couldn’t be leading anywhere I wanted to go. I started to squirm. Then he announced the Sunday the Latham Class 
would be responsible. My stomach turned a flip. This was definitely out of my comfort zone, but I didn’t dare spring to my feet and protest that I felt like I had been blindsided. I cannot describe the inner struggle I felt in organizing and leading my class members to do something I really did not want to do. I was awed and shamed by their in-creasing enthusiasm and anticipation as our Sunday approached. I matched them with my increasing dread and trepidation! How could it be that they were actually looking forward to this? Go figure!
Then the fateful day arrived, and it truly was a “fate-filled” day. As I interacted with the guests, God stripped away all the old prejudices. He showed me the error of my stereotypes. The fear and reservations I had felt were washed away in the warmth of interaction with other human beings whom God loves and died for. I was blessed to discover that some were believers who shared their testimonies with me. Others were experiencing emotional pain and living in the shadow of perceived worthlessness. What a blessing to tell them about Somebody who loves them, who stands in the rain with them, who feels their hunger and their loneliness. I wish I could explain how or why I felt it such a privilege to talk and pray with them; to give them good food to satisfy their hunger; to give them a safe, warm, comfortable place to sleep; and to wash their dirty, smelly clothes for them so they would have clean garments to wear out into the world the next day. That night was the first night of many years of my involvement in our Room in the Inn ministry. I thank God that He found a way to break through my reluctance in order to lead me into the most rewarding and fulfilling experience of my Christian life.
Also in the October 9, 2006 Issue of The Evangel
» Frank and to the Point
» See You at the Bridge!
» The Reluctant Volunteer
» Lending a Helping Hand Together
» Got Air?
» Who are the Friendshippers?
» Have You Ever Packed a Shoebox?
» Check Us Out ... in the Library!
» Where Will You Be in 2007?
» Annual Children's Fall Festival
» Upcoming Events
» This Week in Worship
