One of the surest paths to deeper and more abiding contentment is to lose sight of oneself in service to something greater. Almost always, the most miserable people on the planet are those whose “world” consists of one: themselves. By contrast, the most joyful people are constantly pouring out their lives to better the lives of others. In order to find a more meaningful, substantive, and enduring fulfillment, look at the great variety of needs that surrounds you and ponder how your God-given aptitudes and resources might be put to use to meet those needs.
Below are just a handful of the many spheres in which you may feel led and equipped to serve:
Education
In the world of education, the past year-plus has been a tumultuous one. The coronavirus pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges to learning, and as a result, many of our nation’s schoolchildren have fallen behind. If you have the liberty in your schedule to do so, look to take part in a tutoring or afterschool program near you. What kids are unable to glean and retain in the classroom – whether virtual or in-person – you may be able to re-teach and clarify for them the second time around. Keep in mind, as well, that by volunteering your time in this way, you may become aware of certain students’ physical needs. If you find yourself in this position, think about how you might help to supply those needs in an educational setting. For example, you could provide your pupils with new backpacks, fully stocked with school supplies, imperishable foods, personal-hygiene items, etc.
Environment
Maybe your passion is geared toward preserving and restoring the health of our environment. Whether your focus is on curbing pollution, protecting endangered wildlife, or promoting sustainable living – or all the above! – find an organization whose mission aligns with your interests. You may be drawn to more of a grassroots role in which you would be able to organize support within your community. Or you may feel that your strengths and your social location are best suited to more of a policy-based approach through which you’d be able to shape decision-making at a higher level. In either case, leverage whatever office and influence you possess for the benefit of environmental health.
Healthcare
Perhaps you possess a special concern for the elderly, the sick, the mentally ill, the addicted – individuals whose vulnerabilities highlight the need for access to quality, holistic healthcare. If you have a medical background – or even a passion for healthcare in general – consider volunteering in some capacity at a clinic geared toward at-risk communities. And as your schedule allows, commit part of your week to visiting the homebound, comforting the inpatient, or counseling an individual in recovery. Whatever your level of expertise, never doubt the power of presence – or “ministry of presence,” as I’ve heard it described. Your simply being available, being interested, and being eager to help can be a potent and soothing balm for the suffering soul.
Poverty & Hunger
Countless families in our nation suffer from financial hardship. For some, it manifests in mounds of debt and unpaid bills; for others, it causes food and housing insecurity; and for others still, it takes the form of chronic hunger and homelessness. If you find yourself in a position to help, think about partnering with a local philanthropy or teaming up with a group of friends to meet the material needs of impoverished individuals within your community. Especially as we enter the holiday season, there are plenty of opportunities to contribute – food drives for Thanksgiving, holiday-gift drives, etc. And after the holidays, don’t forget: the “season of giving” continues year-round. Long-term involvement will enable you to establish relationships with those whom you serve, letting them know that they have a steadfast friend and ally in you.
Benevolence & Giving
In an ideal world, we would all have infinite time to devote to service. But realistically, most of us find ourselves pulled in numerous directions – work responsibilities, family and friend commitments, projects at home, etc. If you long to get more involved but lack the time during this season of your life, don’t be discouraged. To the extent you’re able, give generously of your financial resources to organizations and individuals who are driving and sustaining the cause that you hold dear. As time passes, if you discover that you have more flexibility in your schedule, couple your giving with greater contributions of your time.
Perhaps counterintuitively, finding true fulfillment often requires that we forget ourselves. Of all the measures that we use to gauge success – wealth, wisdom, prestige, and so on – how we give of ourselves is one of the most telling. For a life of greater abundance, pour it out in service to others!