Acts of Service

This time of year brings a whole world of emotions for people. Some are cyclical and based on the seasonal changes, and others are just circumstantial. Many who follow a religion understand the teachings of their Great Book (Torah, Quaran, Bible, Tao Te Ching, etc.) to be law, and these teachings can help us to process our normal life emotions: about family, birth, death, kindness, and how we should act. Most teachings are simply straight forward: do onto others as you want done, follow the teachings of the Torah or the great Siddhartha, keep holy the Sabbath day. They are set in place to keep order and teach basic morality.

I was never really a religious person. I attended Catholic school from age 12 through the end of high school, and was quite frankly bored to death by most of what I learned about religion during that time. I would go on to become a youth director of a church in my 30’s, and would disagree with the strict Bible study the Pastor insisted upon when the children of the church were just not into it. My job was to connect them to the church. Get them involved. What does involved look like to a Christian? A Muslim? What does “doing right under God” mean? How exactly can we show respect to Allah?

In Christianity I remember studying the 7 virtues at some point during my rigorous Catholic training, and one that rings over and over to me continues to be the Acts of Service. While I was directing the youth program and working to include eclectic music into the service, getting the kids into music and plays, and trying to get the spirit back into the young folks there, I continued to encourage volunteer work. The Biblical studies are important. The old scripture is a part of our history. But that is not what defines us as people living in the image of God or walking in the footsteps of the Tao. How can we best demonstrate our faith, whatever that may be? How can we WALK IN OUR FAITH? Why not try serving others. Being humble. Sitting down and enjoying your children instead of being short with them. Why don’t we try to serve each other? I wonder what that world would look like?

If you’re interested in starting your Act of Service, get in touch with us. We believe in community. We believe people are made in the image of their creator, whomever that is interpreted to be. We need to respect and love each other, and this means DOING FOR OTHERS instead of for ourselves.

So as you celebrate your religion this holiday season, I encourage you to think about what you have. Reflect on what you think you are missing in your life. And take the time out for Acts of Service any time you can.