genuine thankfulness and genuine service

this saturday my church, quest, hosted a thanksgiving meal for the homeless community. actually, they hosted two meals. a five o'clock and a seven o'clock. over 150 homeless people came and were fed. but it wasn't just about the food. the invitation and the fellowship were instrumental in making the night "a success." the people i talked to were so happy and so appreciative to be there. to see them enjoying each other's company as they ate is what really made it a thanksgiving meal. it was great to be able to sit down with them and hear their stories and talk about their experiences.

but as i think about it a couple days later the thing that strikes me isn't the 150 people served, but the 50 people who volunteered to make it all happen. people were more than willing to come and help. there were more than enough people to set up, decorate, cook, serve, sit and chat, and clean up. i even think pastor deanza had to turn away help because so many people volunteered. people (me included) really wanted to help and be involved. quest is pretty clear about its stance on how believers need to be serving the poor and marginalized and this was a great example of that. not just the meal itself, but the number of people turning out to help for it. but i am still a little concerned...

i guess i kind of fear that we, the numerous volunteers, will look at our contribution, pat ourselves on the back, check off our service to the poor box, and wait until next year to think about how we can serve the homeless again, most likely, via the thanksgiving meal. but when christ talks about providing for the "least of these" it isn't a check a box off kind of service. its a-your heart yearns to provide for the least of these. you understood that serving the destitute was as true of a love for christ as one can find. you didn't do it to ease your conscience, but because you truly understood that christ called us to continually care for the poor. but how do we make caring for those in need part of the fabric of who we are? we need to make it so our heart is always seeking to serve, not just so our minds can feel at ease. but it does start with being intentional, looking to serve, and looking to do it as often as possible. i think part of the answer lies in something i already mentioned. quest cares about the poor and the marginalized. its leadership understands this and there is a core of people who really see christ in those who are in need in the community. lord willing that core becomes a core of 50+. that the social justice and compassion ministry is strengthened by the volunteers growing hearts. that quest members would continue to be encouraged and challenged in their service. that innovation and creativity would continue to spring up. that we would truly understand christ's call to serve the least of these all the time. lord hear our prayer.