Reflections From SOS

If you were keeping up with this blog last week then you were treated to all kinds of Twitter updates from Summer of Service.  You can go see my updates for each day through the links below.

SOS Day 1
SOS Day 2
SOS Day 3
SOS Day 4
SOS Day 5

It was quite an amazing week for me.  I had the opportunity to give up my day job for 5 days and lead a team of High School guys on a week long journey of loving God and loving people.  SOS stretched me physically, emotionally, and spiritually all week long.  We started off each day with worship before heading out into the city to give away water, build walls for Habitat Houses, throw block parties in poor neighborhoods, and other God inspired outreaches.  One day we sat down with our team and prayed together about where God wanted us to go to help other people.  We were given $80 and a bus that would go anywhere in the area that we wanted to.  We ended up at a community center where we cleaned up trash on their baseball diamond and bought pizza for the staff that was working there.  We met several other people and prayed with them as well.  The most emotional part of the week was a new addition called Be The Difference.  This was an exercise that forced us to take a hard look at ourselves and how we treat other people.  We heard personal stories of pain and hurt that was given by peers and loved ones.  We sat down in small groups and shared our personal experiences of how we had been hurt in our past and how it has shaped us today.  I was reminded that things from 15 years ago still affect how I approach relationships today.  I saw the pain of other people and cried for them because of what they have suffered.  I also cried in thankfulness that I have been fortunate to avoid many painful experiences.  On one evening we through a Luau for 700 people with special needs.  We had food, games, movies, and a dance party complete with decorations and grass skirts.  It was so much fun to celebrate with everyone and just have a lot of fun.

Things that I learned at SOS.

• I became very aware that my boldness and my willingness to take risks has greatly lessened over the years.  I am an extrovert, but I found myself being hesitant to go talk to complete strangers.  It was encouraging to me to see the students jump in without hesitation.
• I am very fortunate to have all that I have.  The problems that I face in my life are small potatoes compared to what other people have to live with for the rest of their lives.
• Even though I might think a comment is insignificant, it could be causing others great hurt.
• I was reminded that God wants good for me, not trouble.
• Jelly donuts have a hard time staying together when fired from a water balloon slingshot.
• People have a hard time believing that something is actually free.

For 1 week, a group of 900 kids and hundreds of volunteers were completely intentional about loving and helping other people.  If we could take that beyond a one week conference, how would this world be different?  If 900 students are different because of their experiences this week, how will they make a difference for the rest of their lives?

Micah 6:8 says,
“He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.”

What about now?