Originally published at kingdom.blog

I realise I am probably just being very slow, but it is increasingly dawning on me just how much people really want to make an impact for good in this world. Often they don’t know how, or where to start, but the conversations I’ve been having with people lately have powerfully brought home the reality that people genuinely want to be a vehicle for good in this world.

This weeks TIME Magazine has a special focus on global health and includes lots of stories from people all over the world making big sacrifices to bring health to people who typically have little or no access to health services. I’ve found these stories to be really inspirational. And it has reminded me too that it isn’t just Christians who want to serve and make a difference for good in people’s lives! There is something within human nature that wants to serve; wants to give and not just consume.

Western society has created an environment where being a consumer has become the norm and yet there is still something within the human spirit that seems to nag away at us all saying that we were made for more than this. Could it be that we are most like God when we serve? After all, Jesus came not to be served but to serve. And His life seems to point to the reality that fulfilment is not found in ever seeking to get our needs met, but in putting others before ourselves and serving.

I think that this servant heart that lies within all of humanity (even if lying dormant under endless piles of consumption!) presents the church with a wonderful opportunity. Who says people who aren’t yet followers of Christ can’t engage with church run projects that serve in the community? Wouldn’t it be great to have non-Christians being part of missions teams and serving in practical ways as part of that? Is it possible that people who would maybe never visit our meetings would love to be involved in projects that serve real people with real needs? And wouldn’t that be a great way for them to find faith?

As I see it, the church is in a great position to tap into the servant heart that lurks within all of humanity and to give people the chance to release that for good in this world. And I have a sneaking suspicion that in doing that, many would discover the greatest Servant of all.

Join the conversation…what do you think?

Post your comments at kingdom.blog