Home » Dorms » Student Lounge

Serve One Another (Unless You're Really Busy)

The Call To Serve (Loopholes Not Included)

Ministry, outreach, philanthropic pursuits, servanthood — call it whatever you want, but Scripture is pretty clear on the fact that we, as Christians, are expected to be actively involved in things other than our own little world. (See John 13, Philippians 2, Isaiah 58, and Matthew 25 for a few references). There are lots of great organizations out there, but if you're like me, you might lack several things necessary for involvement: money, a car and time.

Here's the catch: I have yet to find a footnote to go along with the aforementioned Scriptures that says, "Don't worry; if you're really busy and broke, this doesn't apply to you."

Yeah, But I've Got Nothing to Give ...

Money, time and transportation are very real concerns, though, so how can we avoid letting these things (or lack thereof) negate our call to servanthood? I've discovered some practical ways that fit very nicely into my broke, busy, college student lifestyle. Let me share them with you:

1. Tutor/volunteer at a local school: Schools have a huge need for mentors and tutors for their students. This is an incredibly easy, fun and local way to get involved. I made one 5-minute phone call to the local middle school and the next day I was in the library tutoring.
2. Baby sit for free for your favorite professor: (Or maybe least favorite, if you're feeling particularly spiritual.) In case you didn't already know it, professors don't typically have a lot of spare money or time. Offering to baby sit so that they can have a night out with their spouse might be a huge blessing to them.
3. Minister to your extended family: This is something that God convicted me of recently — I'm the type that has starry-eyed dreams of working at an orphanage in some third-world country, but I often forget that I have a huge mission field right here at home among my relatives.
4. Do little things to brighten up other people's days: Bake cookies. Send encouraging notes. (It definitely makes my day when I get mail in my box that isn't from the bursar or registrar's offices.) Be creative and use whatever talents God's given you!
5. Cook dinner for someone in need: Most dorms have full kitchens available for students to use, and it's surprising how many delectable meals you can make with just a few simple ingredients (lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, and so on).
6. Volunteer at your local church: This could be as simple as helping out in the nursery or being an usher on Sunday mornings. If you don't have your own car, find a friend who'd be willing to volunteer with you.
7. Sponsor a child and write them letters: If you don't have a steady enough income to support a child on your own, get a few friends together and pool your resources. For more information about sponsoring a child, you can visit Compassion International. Focus on the Family's Orphan Care Initiative also offers more information on various orphan care ministries.
8. Do yard work for the elderly, disabled and widowed: There are bound to be plenty of people in your town or church who could use some help doing strenuous chores. Organizing a group of friends to spend a day fixing up someone's house can be a lot of fun, too!
9. Visit the elderly in local nursing homes: Seeing a new face brightens their day, and spending time with older, wiser people just might bless you as much as it does them.
10. Organize a dorm sale: Like a yard sale, times 100. You can raise a lot of money to donate to your favorite charity just by helping people get rid of their clutter!
11. Bathe every ministry pursuit in prayer: No matter how big or small the endeavor, you probably won't be too effective if you're only running on your own steam.

Free Foot Washing

The point is, we're called to ministry. You don't always have to go somewhere exotic, be involved in some established program, or give lots of money to serve, though.

The servanthood that Jesus modeled in John 13 wasn't too flashy and didn't require Him to go anywhere or spend any money: He simply washed His disciples' feet and told them to follow His lead. (I'm still working up to the level of spirituality where I would actually wash someone else's feet; they're probably one of my least favorite things in the world. But I digress.)

C O F F E E  S H O P

---

Can you think of other ways to serve those around you?

Join the discussion!

I'm not saying that we should avoid spending money or going somewhere or getting involved with an established ministry. All I'm saying is that Jesus called us to serve, and we shouldn't let our circumstances be an excuse to disobey. As long as you're heeding His call, you can bless others and honor God anywhere from Nepal to the local middle school.