What are you waiting for?

By Bishop L. Jonathan Holston

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”—Matthew 7:7-12 (NIV)

United Methodists have a penchant for acts of care and compassion. Doing good for others is engrained in who we are as Wesleyans and as Christians.

As summer draws to a close, we celebrate another successful year of Salkehatchie Summer Service and the youth and adults volunteers who filled camps located throughout our state. Homes are repaired and hearts are changed through this servant ministry.

The need for home repair continues in South Carolina throughout the year in partnership with Disaster Recovery Ministry. Those persons whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Florence are in need. All clergy and laity ages 14 and older are invited to participate in a Disaster Recovery Day of Service on Saturday, Sept. 21.

United Methodist Volunteers In Mission travel near and far to ensure that the basic needs of our neighbors are met. Across the state or across the world, there are opportunities to get involved.

ZOE is a United Methodist ministry that empowers orphans in Africa and India to become secure, healthy, connected and able to care for themselves and their siblings.

All of these volunteer groups and so many others are worthy of our prayers, our gifts and, most especially, our time. You don’t have to be a carpenter, contractor or childcare provider to make a significant difference in someone’s life. God says all you’ve got to do is show up. Show up with grace, show up with the love of God. Just show up.

In a world filled with complexity and uncertainty, it is easy to get overwhelmed. And the best way to counteract this kind of paralysis is to do something for someone else. Surprise yourself! Pick up a hammer, a paintbrush or a soccer ball and connect with another child of God.

What are you waiting for?