Pass the Ammo- The Volunteer

“Fight the good fight of faith”

1 Timothy 6:12

“Pass the Ammo” is a true story series of unnamed (but not unknown) soldiers for Christ who stepped out of their comfort zone to obey the Holy Spirit’s call. To stay in the fight, we’ll need all the extra rounds we can get. So, praise the Lord, and pass the ammunition!

Everyone has a busy schedule these days. There are animals to care for, home maintenance to be done, appointments to make, work to be finished, and the directives of an employer to fulfil. Added to these requirements are the demands of an ill family member to look after, the extra responsibility of school, or the stresses of marriage and parenthood.

The average person is squeezed by the swelling routines so badly, that they number the days until they can take a vacation.

Vacation or vocation?

To the majority of people in the world, if you said “Let’s take a vacation,” they would respond: “Where to? For how long? Let me pack my bags- when do we leave?!” If you cleared your throat and said, “Let’s take up a vocation,” most would say: “What’s that? Sounds like more work- no thanks, I’m busy enough!” (Do you know the difference? Learn more at these Firesides: Don’t Have A Hobby and Nobody, Somebody, Everybody)

But there exists another kind of person who is “not of the world.” (John 15:19) One who is motivated by “the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:14b) They look for ways of “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:16) They are the ones who fill the rooms of Sunday School hall with laughter and cheering. They are the ones who enjoy their blessings in secret, wiping the sweat and often tears so they can give a smile. They are the unpaid, unsung heroes of the church: the volunteers.

Who is this volunteer?

The fellow who deals with cantankerous people all day, yet somehow finds it in himself to want to deal with people and their problems just a little more. This person who is convicted when he sings, “Work for the night is coming, when man’s work is done.” This is the kind of person that feels the urge to say, “Yes!” before a need is even fully verbalized. This guy shows up first, and stays late to make sure no one is left unnoticed, no matter who else does.

To this kind of person, the best escape from the routines of life is not lying on a sunny oceanside beach, but rushing home from work to change clothes so they can keep the nursery during prayer meeting. This one prays that God would give her an opportunity to serve, though happily she will sit if never called upon. This person battles the same “stomach bugs” and “seasonal flues” and “under-the-weathers” you and I do, but is always miraculously well enough to take their turn to clean the bathrooms. This person fights off the malaise of cancer treatment to serve dozens who are not only unknowing, but ungrateful.

Are you one of these people?

“You don’t understand my situation!” “It’s not as easy as you say!” “I do more than most people!”

Likely, if you answered defensively, you are not. Sure, we understand how you feel. You have alot on your mind. We all do. But you’re not a volunteer.

Are you one of these people? I hope you are desperate to become one of these heroes. Less lounging around God’s house and more longing to be a blessing to someone else.

“Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

Philippians 2:4

A call to loyal soldiers comes to one and all
Soldiers for the conflict
Will you heed the call?
Will you answer quickly with a ready cheer?
Will you be enlisted as a volunteer?

A volunteer for Jesus!
A soldier true!
Others have enlisted,
Why not you?
Jesus is the Captain,
We will never fear,
Will you be enlisted as a volunteer?

“…And having done all, to stand.”

Ephesians 6:13b

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