Last Sunday, a pastor friend asked me to do him a favor. He had volunteered at a summer camp for kids called MEGA Sports Camp, but he had to leave and asked me to fill in. I was happy to help out, even though I had been looking forward to some time alone while my own kids attended the camp. However, God had other plans and I ended up working with a different age group than I was used to.
Let me give you some background information. I work as a high school administrator and have taught science at both the high school and junior high levels. I enjoy working with older kids and can handle middle school students, but I prefer not to work with younger children. So, it was ironic that I was assigned to work with 6 and 7-year-olds at the camp.
Although I had some doubts, I knew I could handle it because I have experience with kids of different ages. I always worry about making young children cry, especially if they’re not my own. So, it was amusing in a way that God would place me in a situation where I had to work with an age group I wasn’t comfortable with.
To add to the irony, I am a big sports fan, except for basketball and soccer. So, it was another challenge that God would put me in a position to work with 6 and 7-year-olds in basketball. Surprisingly, I had a good time doing it.
Ultimately, I realized that the time I spent at the camp wasn’t mine to begin with. It belonged to God, and He appreciates a cheerful giver who helps others. When we look at the famous Bible verse John 3:16, we see that God gave His only son out of love for the world. The keyword there is GAVE. He is the ultimate example of a cheerful giver, giving everything for the benefit of others.
So, the next time you have the opportunity to help someone else, remember two things: first, the resources you have aren’t truly yours, but rather given to you by God to benefit others. Second, we only have a limited number of chances to make a positive impact on others’ lives.