“The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation.”

– Corrie Ten Boom

Have you ever excitedly volunteered for something that slowly became NOTHING more than an obligation? As time passed you lost your inspiration and vision for the opportunity you had once eagerly poured your heart into. I think we have all ended up volunteering for things that we weren’t very motivated to continue participating in. Sometimes we entered into commitments because we wanted to please others and said yes too quickly to a plea for help. Maybe the organization changed directions and we no longer share the same vision. Perhaps we said yes to WAY TOO many things and have lost our passion. Maybe we are struggling to honor the leadership we are under. There are a thousand different reasons that our level of commitment changes toward things we once felt called to.

Isaiah 40:31 those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Get in the practice of pausing BEFORE you accept a new opportunity. This is also the perfect time to pray that God would lead your steps. Pray about and choose wisely where you will spend your time. These are the very moments of your life, what holds enough value for you to donate your life to it? There are millions of valuable places to spend your time. However there are only so many hours in each day, so you can’t and shouldn’t say yes to every opportunity that comes your way. When you say yes to EVERYTHING you aren’t giving your all to ANYTHING!  I would hope that you would only say yes to things that you can see God’s purpose in, you lend value to or are gaining knowledge from. If you keep these tools in mind, it will help guide you into commitments that you are INSPIRED to participate in. It will help prevent getting STUCK in obligation and dreading just showing up.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. ¹⁴ Do everything in love.

When you feel inspired (hopefully divinely) to volunteer your time, then you bring an excitement to those who are participating with you. If you are learning then you bring an enthusiasm for personal growth that encourages those that are teaching you. They become more motivated to help you grow! No matter the circumstance, you bring more to the table when you are truly inspired to be present both physically and mentally. When you don’t bring that energy, for whatever reason, it becomes a chore of drudgery which doesn’t bless you or anyone around you.

We need to be intentional. That doesn’t mean every moment of every experience is going to go on your highlight reel, but it does mean that you are motivated by the purpose and presence of what you are giving your time to. God created us to be loving, passionate beings and I believe he places us in circumstances that he wants our passions to shine. 

Matthew 5:16 let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.