Volunteer

I spent the weekend watching a wonderful group of volunteers at the first Ed McCaffrey "Dare to Play" football camp for youngsters with Downs Syndrome. The Global Downs Syndrome Foundation organized this event at Valor Christian High School in the Denver area. Kristin Brooks headed up a team of professional cheerleaders who coached the girls in cheer routines that rocked the fans during Saturday's game. Valor's high school football players acted as buddies for all the Downs Syndrome campers and Valor's coaching staff did a marvelous job teaching the skills in a way that made the weekend fun and productive. I came away feeling that everyone involved was moved by the compassion and genuine love shown during the weekend. This morning I was thinking about a poem I wrote a few years back. I wanted to make the point that none of us are "drafted" into eternal life, we have to volunteer.

Volunteer

Wondering what your talents are?
Tell me, can you drive a car?
You can be somebody’s chauffeur
or help a food bank as you go fer
anything that might help feed
some families that are in need.

You can go on mission trips;
praising God with hands and lips.
Help the hopeless, wash the dishes.
God’s not choosey, all He wishes
is that we show some love each day
to all those that He sends our way.

Ask God to open up the door
then walk on through to what’s in store.
I hope it doesn’t make you nervous
to learn that Christian life is service.
Remember, as you live your years
God’s army’s made of volunteers.
Jeff Hildebrandt © 2008.