Picking up right where we left off (that’s right boyz’n’girls, welcome to The Blog Rut: the newest, coolest place to be stuck!)…
Because we loo-oove all things advertising, the following Commercial Break has been brought to you by reality! And the Ministry Fair! …And a lil’ bit of Thomas Kincade! (And a dash of coffee…)
So, the question of volunteering has been a prominent ponderance, of late. Or if not a ponderance, at least prominent. (If you overlooked the profusion of displays/booths/ presentations on Sunday, you’ll just have to take my word for it. And maybe get some glasses.) Regarding volunteerism, you may wonder: “Why should I?” We-eell, I’m glad you asked! (You ask really good questions. You’ve just earned yourself a gold star!) I know there are tons of good reasons, and you could probably rattle off a lo-ong list of them without really being motivated/convinced to jump on the bandwagon. But there is one consideration that is very common, and which successfully holds people BACK. It’s particularly salient.(<–I just wanted to use that word. But it is.) “What IS IT”, you ask? (Ooh! There’s Good Question No.2! Your star has been upgraded to platinum!)
It all stems from something a world famous painter, Thomas Kincade, wrote regarding his approach to producing art. The gist is: people assume creating art is 100% inspiration. Even artists believe it. He’s witnessed many a “co-worker” come to a grinding standstill in their career, because they were waiting to regain their inspiration. And many are still waiting, or at best creating VERY irregularly. Now on the other hand, ol’ Thom could–but doesn’t–boast an impressive body of work that displays a consistent level of mastery. Yet he admits he’s had his share of inspiration-less periods. What makes the difference? He has learned that the only way out of those periods is to continue working. Why? Well, that’s the key: because it CREATES OPPORTUNITY for inspiration to strike afresh!!!
Kincade applied this concept to his marriage, BUT it also applies to us “age-impaired” ones (how’s that for politically corrected?) and anything in our younger lives that becomes routine. He explained that a feeling of romance is like artistic inspiration. If there is no attempt to cultivate it (by creating situations with “romantic potential” in setting, activity and conversation; by going out of your way to notice and appreciate your spouse, etc.), it won’t happen!! Or at least not in a sustainable, relationship-strengthening way.
Do you see the connection? IS there a connection? Uh, hopefully. It’s a vital thing to remember because I think it’s common to mix up motivations. We may struggle because we don’t feel “right” about acting until the appropriate feeling hits us. But, often the feeling won’t arise UNTIL we begin acting (not “acting” as in: putting on a show, but “acting” as in: carrying out a task.)
I gotta say, sometimes while volunteering at youth group, I just don’t feel equal to the task. Oh, no, no! It’s not you; it’s me. You’re great! Don’t change a thing. (Unless you think you should.) Life just gets busy or crazy, and it becomes tempting to walk away from commitments (or not make them at all) because it doesn’t FEEL easy or natural anymore. On the other hand, there’s something to be said for working in areas you are suited to (that’d be the “S.H.A.P.E.” thing), but when God’s leading you to become part of something, don’t be held back by a lack of feeling. And when you’ve taken the plunge, don’t worry if your feelings fail you. It happens. The very act of persevering will be a more effective remedy, than “taking a time out” until you regain your motivation.
So, onwards! (Need I mention that notorious Nike slogan?)

A’ight! The End! And back to our regular programming…