We enjoyed beautiful weather and had success at all of our projects at Serve St. Louis 2016. That Saturday morning, the skies were an amazing blue with soft, light clouds drifting by. Volunteers gathered together throughout the St. Louis area to take on the task they signed up for. There seems to always be a little bit of energy, a buzz, that stirs as people start to gather at the project sites. People smiling and talking, meeting up with old friends and (maybe) discovering some new ones. They come together to work in unity on the project. They work as a team. However, it goes beyond just working as a team. They encourage each other, share a common cause and a common spirit – putting others before themselves in serving. It is a joy to witness and be a part of.
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in the spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:1-4
God calls us to be united together, sharing a common spirit (as we do with Christ), as we serve each other and our community. Also, in reading these verses, God tells us to have humility and value others above ourselves. Do you remember a few weeks ago when Jake spoke about humility being one of the most important attributes of love? I completely agree because that’s what scripture tells us. So, when we, with humility, give value to and serve others, we are loving them. When we do it in unity and with one spirit with other believers, it is powerful!
That is why Serve St. Louis was successful. Through these projects, people came out and served the community with humility, in unity, reflecting the Love of Christ.
Check out some of the highlights from this year’s projects.
Peace,
Steve