"You must give some time to your fellow men. Even if it's a little thing, do something for others - something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it."
Albert Schweitzer
French philosopher & physician (1875 - 1965)
A few of us got together Saturday morning for the Rotten Ralph's ride. It's a 21 miler from my house, over Palma Sola Bay, then over the intracoastal to Anna Maria Island's northern tip where we stop at the dockside restaurant for a potty break.
It's a great ride. Join us sometime - most Saturday's at 8am. On this morning we encountered something completely different than the dolphin, heron, or the other wildlife that usually greets us.
Walking along the side of the road was a crew of 4 or 5 people wearing orange vests and picking up trash. That's awesome. I assumed it was one of those "adopt a road" groups whose organizations get a road sign noting their contribution. We all thanked and encouraged them as we road past them in our sexy, sleek, and colorful cycling clothing (my neighbor calls it my ballerina costume).
Not 2 miles later did we encounter another similar crew out on the causeway - picking up trash. Again, we thanked them and continued on our journey still looking remarkable in the multi colored, tight-fitting attire of a road cyclist. Before we got to the second bridge over the intracoastal, we ride upon yet another crew.
"Well, why didn't you pretty boys get off your bikes and help?" you ask. That's a fair question. Shoes. Huh? Yes, shoes. We were wearing our cycling shoes. And everyone knows you can't pick up trash wearing cycling shoes. Trust me on this one.
So off we ride onto Anna Maria Island (AMI), to Rotten Ralph's, and finally back to my hood. But before we make it home, we encounter another trash crew. This time it's two women and what I'd guess is a 6th grade girl. Again, we encourage them and ride past, but this time I had to know what was going on. So I pull a u-y, unclip from those shoes that prevent one from picking up trash, and ask what's up.
"It's Coastal Clean-up Day" one of the women informs me. Turns out they're part of a sorority that raises money for cancer. And they obviously pick up trash too! From the "Keep Manatee Beautiful" website, I learn that this effort is part of "The Great American Cleanup" which is the largest grassroots beautification, litter prevention, and community improvement program sponsored by Keep America Beautiful.
I could do that. You could do that. Just about anyone not wearing cycling shoes could do that. These folks inspired me to write a plea to my fit friends on volunteering. And yes I know - most of you volunteer plenty already. I'll give you that. And just the next morning, I had the opportunity to volunteer for the Heritage Harbor 10K as a traffic director. So writing about volunteering is not volunteering. Let me also suggest that there's a type of service we can do that even trumps volunteering.
John Maxwell says this in his book Life@Work: "The straight-shooting apostle James bluntly put it this way: if you see someone cold and hungry and only say to them, 'Be warm. Be filled' but yet do nothing, you are only fooling yourself. 'Isn't it obvious', he wrote, 'that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?' (James 2:15-16, THE MESSAGE). Action requires intentionality."
Maxwell uses this quote in the context of the story of the good Samaritan where Jesus gave an example of who our neighbor is:
"There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious leader man showed up; he also avoided the injured man.
A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I'll pay you on my way back.'
"What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?"
"The one who treated him kindly," the religion scholar responded.
Jesus said, "Go and do the same." (Luke 10:30-37, THE MESSAGE)
The type of service described in the story demonstrates a heart for taking care of our neighbors - even when it's not convenient and on our calendars. That's way more of a sacrifice than signing up for an activity. And that's just the kind of service with which I struggle most.
Maxwell points out that we can have blind spots to seeing like a Samaritan such that we don't even see the needs in our world. He cites busyness and self-centeredness as the two primary causes. Those observations just ran over me like a Greyhound bus. The solution would appear to be simple: get less busy and focus on others. The problem, I have to confess, is that I like being busy and self-centered.
I believe God will spend the rest of my life chiseling away at those faults. As long as I follow those blue blazes in my life.
"Whoa, you got a little serious on us Hughes" you say. I did, didn't I? Well back to my weekend. Sunday morning I helped a bit at a local 10K race. In case runners were wanting to jump over cones to miss a u-turn, I was there to keep them on track. Not more than a 9 iron away from me was the 4 mile mark where a volunteer dad and his boys would be offering a cool drink to thirsty runners.
After the race, I went to church at Bayside, an amazing place that raises more volunteers than I could count. Before I get into the church (it's actually an elementary school) I encounter a guy who's prepped and will ultimately serve 500 plates of spaghetti between Saturday and Sunday services. He's helping raise funds for a missionary group called 24/7 that Bayside will be sending to Columbia.
Another 24/7 volunteer with whom I'm acquainted approached me and asked if I would like to buy a t-shirt to support their mission. One of the sore spots that I create with the hot brunette has to do with t-shirts. I accumulate a lot of them. Don't all guys do this? I ask if I can send a check instead.
Now approaching the entrance, I'm welcomed by 2 greeters. Inside I encounter another greeter (who I know) posted in the lobby area. In addition to welcoming folks, she can direct newbies to the nursery, info table, etc. After a quick chat I proceed to the "sanctuary" aka the cafeteria where I'm welcomed again by a greeter and given a program. Without having to say a word about its incredible pastor and worship team, it's easy to see why this church has grown into the largest congregation in our area. They love to serve.
Oprah had it mostly right in a quote from her magazine in 2002: "I've come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that's as unique as a fingerprint - and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you." I'm sure you know why I say mostly right.
Our greatest joy will come in the selfless, heartfelt serving of others. So what about us? Do we love to serve? If everyone in the world served others as equally as we do, would the world be a better place? Thanks for reading.
