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Day 38 – Service
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is famous for saying “Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
While we’re lucky enough to be at Belmont, a place where it actually is important that our subjects and verbs agree, we find ourselves challenged to “embrace and engage the world.” This can be difficult, especially in your earliest time at Belmont, because you’re still trying to figure out what it means to be a college student, to be away from home, and to figure out who you want to be as a person. How are you supposed to “embrace and engage the world” when you’ve never really experienced it?
What’s great about Belmont is that we have the chance to experience the world and discover ourselves by serving the community that you’ll soon learn to call home. Find what your passionate about and I guarantee you can find a way to use that passion to serve someone else. Maybe it’s volunteering at the nursing home or maybe it’s simply driving a friend without a car to the grocery store. It’s those moments that you’ll discover what service really means and ultimately discover yourself.
Looking back on my years at Belmont, my mind instantly goes to the times I knew I made a difference and really discovered what it meant to serve. Matthew 23:11 says, “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded." This is a crazy time, but also one of the most exciting! People won’t remember if you made an A on your English paper or if you played Ultimate Frisbee for the entire day, but they will remember what you did for them and how you impacted the world they live in.
It can be a challenge, but remember, “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. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized.”
Tanner Sanders | 2014 Graduate | English and Songwriting
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is famous for saying “Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
While we’re lucky enough to be at Belmont, a place where it actually is important that our subjects and verbs agree, we find ourselves challenged to “embrace and engage the world.” This can be difficult, especially in your earliest time at Belmont, because you’re still trying to figure out what it means to be a college student, to be away from home, and to figure out who you want to be as a person. How are you supposed to “embrace and engage the world” when you’ve never really experienced it?
What’s great about Belmont is that we have the chance to experience the world and discover ourselves by serving the community that you’ll soon learn to call home. Find what your passionate about and I guarantee you can find a way to use that passion to serve someone else. Maybe it’s volunteering at the nursing home or maybe it’s simply driving a friend without a car to the grocery store. It’s those moments that you’ll discover what service really means and ultimately discover yourself.
Looking back on my years at Belmont, my mind instantly goes to the times I knew I made a difference and really discovered what it meant to serve. Matthew 23:11 says, “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded." This is a crazy time, but also one of the most exciting! People won’t remember if you made an A on your English paper or if you played Ultimate Frisbee for the entire day, but they will remember what you did for them and how you impacted the world they live in.
It can be a challenge, but remember, “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. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized.”
Tanner Sanders | 2014 Graduate | English and Songwriting
About this Plan
This 40 day prayer plan was written by students, faculty and staff at Belmont University as a daily devotional for incoming freshmen. Each day guides and encourages new college students in their faith in Jesus Christ through the word of God and the sincere thoughts, seasoned advice and honest prayers of the contributing authors. May these words help you grow in your love for God and your love for others!
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We would like to thank Belmont University for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: www.belmont.edu
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