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I have found during the time I have been the Vicar of St George's, that appeals for volunteers are greeted with either an enthusiastic "yes" or a resounding "no" and sometimes "I will think about it". In the end it is often the same people who respond and the work done by them. On the other hand, some people offer their services as a volunteer and then wait to be accepted, or not, as the case may be. When the response of a volunteer is positive, the explanations or motives given will vary enormously, a negative response can often carry an answer which is not completely honest, when they might say, "I haven't got time" when they really mean "I don't want to". Volunteers may find the tasks they offer help for either simple or difficult. To post a letter for a neighbour is easy compared with getting the shopping for an elderly person. But whether the task is simple or difficult, quick or lengthy, it is the spirit of willingness to see the task done which is the important thing, especially when what seemed at first a simple task turns out to be a more difficult one. Usually the responses we are asked to make to the calls of God are reasonably simple ones. It may be to assist at some church function. Other tasks may be more difficult, such as giving a helping hand with the youth club or Sunday School. However, when God does call us we should be certain that our "yes" is based on a true willingness to follow and serve him as we promised at our Confirmation. It could be God is calling us to more important work in the wider church as a priest or a member of a religious community. Jesus called us to give up all in order to follow him. We should not start off by seeing all the difficulties looming up before our eyes before we even begin to think about what God may want of us, after all Jesus promised that those who follow him must "take up the cross and follow me". In the end it is God's Holy Spirit who gives us the strength to respond to such a call, whatever it may be. Faced with such a call, we must follow the example of our Lady Mary and say "be it unto me according to thy word". What would your response be? With my prayers and blessing, Your friend and priest.... Malcolm Ferrier. |
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page last updated 1 OCTOBER 2000 |
