Unrestrained Service: A Devotional for Nonprofit Leaders and Volunteersنموونە

Day 1 – Overcoming Barriers

Any time we desire to do something good, such as volunteering in a nonprofit organization, we can be sure to encounter some type of hindrance or barrier. In our fast-paced, super-busy world, the most common barrier to volunteering is lack of time. With work schedules, family responsibilities, church, and other obligations, we can hardly find time to relax and reset, let alone have time for volunteering. Thus, being unable to regularly commit to volunteer work can discourage us from getting involved altogether. But that still may not diminish the yearning in our hearts to help! That won’t change our burning desire to make a real difference in our communities.

So, if volunteering, contributing to a great cause, and making an impact are genuinely important to us, we have to stop wasting time and get started. Even if we can only volunteer two to four hours per month or eight hours per quarter, we should at least make a commitment to set aside a small amount of time rather than nothing at all. No matter how busy we think we are, when we pray and ask God to direct our paths, He will show us if we are still holding onto something that is past its season and how we can manage our time more wisely.

Sometimes, we carry positions, projects, activities, and other assignments long after God has nudged us that it is time to let them go and move forward. It could be our bond to the thing, it could be our drive and tenacity, or it could even be our fear of perceived failure. Many of us struggle with the “new” because we are challenged when it comes time to step away from the “old”. We heard what God said, but what we are working on has not been completed to our specific standards. However, we must remember that all of our times are in the Lord’s hands. In order to fully trust God, we have to be willing to totally relinquish control.

God has invested in us and we must make the time to cultivate our gifts so that we can invest in others. But it requires that we completely surrender to overcome all excuses and barriers!