
Making a Difference: 7 Simple Steps to Give Yourself Away in Service
Are you ready to make a difference? To leave your mark on the world and give back in a meaningful way? I believe that true fulfillment lies in selfless service, and want to show you just how easy it can be. Let’s chat about 7 simple steps that will empower you to give yourself away in service. Whether it’s volunteering at a local charity, supporting a cause close to your heart, or simply lending a helping hand to those around you – get ready to unlock the joy of making a difference! Let’s dive in and discover how small acts of kindness can create ripples of positive change that resonate far beyond ourselves.
Service is a fundamental aspect of human interaction and has been ingrained in our societies for centuries. At its core, service involves helping others without expecting anything in return. It is often seen as a selfless act that benefits not only the person being served but also the one providing the service. Going back to the first century, Jesus told the greatest story about service. He talked about and taught that if you want to be great, you must become a servant.
While many people have a basic understanding of what service means, its true importance and impact can sometimes be overlooked. Service is essential to make a difference in our lives and the world around us.
1. Service promotes empathy and compassion:
One of the primary reasons why service is crucial is that it allows us to connect with others on a deeper level. By serving others, we gain insight into their struggles, needs, and perspectives. This helps us develop empathy towards their situations and fosters a sense of compassion and understanding. As we put ourselves in someone else’s shoes through service, we become more aware of the challenges they face, making us more compassionate individuals. If there has ever been a time for more compassion, it is now!
2. Service creates a sense of purpose:
Humans are social beings, wired to seek connections and find meaning in our actions. Through service, we fulfill both these innate desires by building relationships with those we serve while also finding purpose in helping others. Whether it’s volunteering at a soup kitchen or mentoring underprivileged youth, acts of service provide fulfillment by giving us a higher sense of purpose beyond ourselves. If you’ve ever wondered why you are here on this earth, go serve others and you’ll discover why you are here!
Find Your Passion and Purpose
The first step in making a difference in the world is to find your passion and purpose. These two elements are crucial as they will drive your actions and provide you with motivation to make a positive impact. Your Creator has wired you for service. You were created to impact others. To impact others for them, and for you!
Many people struggle to identify their passion and purpose, but it is essential for living a fulfilling life and giving back to others. Here are some tips to help you discover yours:
1. Reflect on your interests and values: Start by asking yourself what topics or activities bring you joy? What issues do you feel strongly about? Identifying these can lead you towards finding your passion and purpose. God longs for you to enjoy this service. His creation purpose was for you to join Him in His redemptive plan.
2. Explore different opportunities: Don’t be afraid to try new things, whether it’s volunteering at a local church mission project, delivering meals with Meals on Wheels, or making a meal for a couple that is struggling. Trying out different experiences can help you discover what truly resonates with you. Don’t stop after one effort. You didn’t stop eating out after a bad restaurant experience. Don’t give up on service after an experience that was less than ideal. I love serving kids from homeless or less than ideal family experiences. You might like helping build a thatch roof on a church in the middle of the Yucatán.
3. Consider your skills and strengths: Your unique set of skills, talents, and strengths can also guide you towards your passion and purpose. For example, if you are good at organizing events, consider using that skill for fundraising efforts for a cause that means something to you. It’s not hard to find a way to serve. It’s simply making it intentional. You make vacations intentional. Why not make selfless service intentional?
4. Seek inspiration from others: Look up to people who are already making a difference in their communities or globally. Their stories can inspire you, give insight into how they found their passion, and motivate you to find yours. If you aren’t part of a community of service, just ask people you see doing good on social media. They will invite you join them. Go for it. My first mission experience was building churches in Southern Romania. I fell in love with missional service by helping people who were locked into a mentality of communism. Who knew?
5. Be open-minded: Sometimes our passions and purposes may come in unexpected forms or through unlikely sources. Stay open-minded as you go. I never imagined that I would wake up excited about serving a school for high school dropouts that have their own kids. I couldn’t fathom being excited about building churches in the middle of the Yucatán jungle, or serving educators that teach special needs children…but I do!
Start Small and Local
One of the best ways to make a difference in your community is by starting small and local. This means finding ways to give back within your own neighborhood or city, rather than trying to tackle larger global issues. Everyone would like to change the world. We often pray for God to give us a powerful ministry. What if we are missing the point, and simply need to greatly minister?
Here are some tips for getting started with small and local acts of service:
1. Get involved with local organizations: There are likely many non-profit organizations, churches, charities, and volunteer groups in your area that are doing great work for the community. Research these organizations and find one that aligns with your interests, faith and value systems. You can then reach out to them to see how you can get involved as a volunteer. They all need help. If they don’t welcome the help, they are bad, they simply aren’t right for you.
2. Offer your skills or talents: We all have unique skills and talents that we can use to serve others. Whether it’s teaching a class, providing professional services, or using your creative abilities, look for opportunities where you can utilize your strengths to help those in need within your community. Be willing to take on the lowest position and you will discover the greatest joy.
3. Volunteer at events or fundraisers: Keep an eye out for local events such as food drives, charity walks/runs, or fundraising events for specific causes. These are often organized by non-profits, churches, or community groups looking for volunteers to help run the event smoothly. My church recently invited people to help homeless families with clothing, food and supplies. More than 300 people volunteered and had a fun evening loving others. It’s just not that difficult to do good!
Donate to a Cause or Organization
After taking steps to serve in your community and volunteer your time, the next way you can make a difference is by donating to a cause or organization that aligns with your values, belief systems and passions. Giving back through financial contributions is an impactful way to support causes and organizations that are working towards positive change. If you give what you can, you’ll never get weary of giving. If you do what you can, you’ll never get tired of doing. It’s when we take on more than we can that we realize we often are challenged by an improper motivation. Check your heart on this matter.
1. Choose a Cause or Organization.
2. Do Your Research.
3. Decide on Your Donation Method.
4. Set a Budget.
5. Set Up Automatic Gift Donations.
Use Your Networks to Share Liberally and Graciously
Once you have identified your cause and taken actionable steps to serve others, it is important to spread awareness and education about the issue. This step is crucial in creating a ripple effect of change and inspiring others to get involved.
1. Utilize Social Media Platforms.
2. Organize Events or Workshops.
3. Engage with Schools, Churches or Youth/Family Groups.
4. Create Informative Content that You are Passionate About.
Practice Random Acts of Kindness
In this fast-paced world, we often get caught up in our own routine and forget to spread kindness to those around us. However, practicing random acts of kindness can make a huge difference in someone’s day and even inspire them to pay it forward.
Acts of kindness don’t have to be random, they just need to be genuine. They may seem like they are small gestures, but they have the power to brighten someone’s day and spread joy. It requires no special skills or resources but can leave a lasting impact on both the giver and receiver. Kindness has been scientifically proven to improve overall well-being and reduce stress levels. It also fosters a sense of community and connection with others, making the world a better place one act at a time.
Ideas for Random Acts of Kindness:
1. Pay for someone’s meal or coffee.
2. Leave notes of encouragement.
3. Help out a neighbor.
4. Give a kind word of encouragement.
Create Lasting Change
By following the previous six steps, you have already taken significant strides towards impacting the world positively. However, true change comes from creating lasting impact and leaving a lasting legacy. Consistency was one of Jesus’ most impactful character traits. I love the fact that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Determine to be a consistently gracious human being.
Here are some tips on how you can create lasting change through your service:
1. Identify areas of need.
2. Collaborate with others.
3. Think outside the box. Don’t think conventionally. Think intentionally.
The act of giving oneself away in service has a profound impact not only on the individual but also on the community and society as a whole. It is an opportunity to make a positive impact in the world and leave a lasting impact. Friends, the world doesn’t need great leaders, it is in desperate need of great servants.
Giving yourself away in service can bring about personal growth and self-discovery. When faced with challenges while serving others, we learn to adapt, problem-solve, and develop important life skills such as empathy, communication, leadership, and teamwork. These experiences can shape us into more compassionate, resilient individuals who are better equipped to handle life’s obstacles.
Put my theory to the test. I dare you to prove me and the science behind service wrong. I challenge to prove God wrong. Go serve others and watch how your world changes from the inside and then beyond.
Doing good is good for everyone, especially you!
Go In Peace, Chuck