January 01, 1992 by Art McCleary

Don't Let your Talents Gather Dust - Volunteer at the U.S. Center

"Move your feet, Charlie. I have to vacuum there. Why don't you go out and do something instead of just sitting there and getting--"

"Fat?"

"I didn't say that."

"No, but I'm pretty good at word games."

"Well, Sweetie, you have gained a bit since we got married."

"And you, my love, are--," But Charlie decided he had better quit that game while he was still ahead (if he was), so he went out and did something."

Charlie is a Christian, he loves the Lord, he's retired. He has worked hard for a good number of years. He has a lot deposited in his mind and talent bank. But the account isn't paying much interest. Oh, he is more or less active at church, but there are times when he gets that uneasy feeling that his Christian life is not really very productive. He vaguely wonders how it might be otherwise. But it's not an entirely pleasant thought to ponder, he doesn't pursue it too often.

The evangelical community is full of Charlies (or Sally's, if you will). They are not satisfied with their Christian life. They no longer have job responsibilities. Their children are grown and on their own, and they get that disquieting feeling that they are just marking time. They are players with skills, talents and gifts, learned and honed by years of labor; yet they're sitting on the bench just watching those on the playing field.

"What can I do?" you might ask. "I'm just--." Well, give us a chance to show you. We cry daily for volunteers to help with the task of mobilizing the church to pray to send, to support laborers for the task of reaching the 11,000 unreached people groups with the gospel of Jesus Christ in their own tongue and culture. It would be difficult to find one who does not have some knowledge or skill that would not be useful.

You probably have many times wondered what missionaries are really like. What they do. Well, we would say, why wonder? Come and be one for a few hours, a few days a week. While working for pay, Charlie often wished he were more appreciated, that somebody really noticed or cared that he was doing a good job. Here at the U.S. Center, a volunteer is viewed as someone very special (which of course he is).

You may discover, as some of us have, that it's more fun to work for nothing than it ever was for pay. It's such a good satisfying feeling, for once, to be able to set your own hours to work as little or as much as you like, to be able to quit when you get tired. And there is nobody to hassle you--just a community to love and appreciate you.

Charlie, Sally and all others who may read this: We dare you to ask the Lord if this is something He wants for you. If you get the slightest nudge, call us, or come in for a chat.