Recently my wife and I spent a day showing some Canadian visitors around the beautiful North Coast. We covered a lot of ground including the Giant’s Causeway, White Park Bay, Ballintoy Harbour and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.
The weather was typical Northern Ireland summer – sunny with occasional showers – and nearly every season in one afternoon. We had managed pretty well at keeping dry until we got to the rope-bridge but just as we approached it the clouds opened and the rain poured down. We were soaked to the skin.
At the bridge I couldn’t help notice the National Trust volunteers who were helping manage the crowds hoping to walk across the bridge. Although they seemed well kitted out with waterproof gear, I have no doubt that they were cold and wet, yet they were doing their job not just efficiently but also smiling as they did it.
I was particularly grateful for one volunteer who helped my wife back up the steps after she decided not to cross at the last minute. Unlike us, they had to stand out in the open for several hours whilst we could escape to the relative comfort of the car and try to get warm and dry again. They were pretty impressive and just for a moment I was transported back to a previous career that also involved standing about in the cold and wet – though at least I was well paid for that!
It started me thinking about volunteers and what they get out of volunteering. A quick flick through the internet reveals many ‘inspirational’ quotes and here is a selection of them which I found interesting.
“Volunteers are not paid – not because they are worthless but because they are priceless.” Anonymous
“Don’t ever question the value of volunteers. Noah’s ark was built by volunteers; the Titanic was built by professionals.” Dave Gynn
“Volunteers are just ordinary people with extraordinary hearts. They give the gift of their time to teach, to listen, to help, to inspire, to build, to grow, to learn. They expect no pay yet the value of their works knows no limit. They’ve known the unexpected joy of a simple hug. They have planted tiny seeds of love in countless lives. Volunteers are just ordinary people who reach out and take a hand and together make a difference that lasts a lifetime.” Anonymous
“Life’s most urgent question is: what are you doing for others?” Martin Luther King Jn.
People choose to volunteer for a variety of reasons. For some it offers the chance to give something back to the community or make a difference to the people around them. For others it provides an opportunity to develop new skills or build on existing experience and knowledge. Regardless of the motivation, what unites them all is that they find it both challenging and rewarding.
For Christians volunteering is one way of serving Christ. We cannot buy our way into heaven by doing good works but there is a biblical imperative to help others. Here are a few verses that point us towards this.
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” Galatians 5:13-14
“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” Hebrews 6:10
If you feel that you would like to volunteer please contact your local church who will be best placed to advise you about their activities. Alternatively, check here where other opportunities within PCI are advertised.
Richard Russell is the PCI's Programme Development Officer.