Last month I wrote about opening your eyes, ears, mind and heart to God. Letting God guide you and direct you into what you can specifically do for others. Each one of us has God given talents to enable us to be successful on a daily basis. What are your talents? Have you listed them on a sheet of paper? How well do you know yourself?

As you proceed through your daily life are you keeping your eyes open as to how you can serve others? Have you reached that point in your life where you want to reach out and be significant? Business, academic or professional success, at some point in each of our lives, becomes less significant and being significant in the lives of others becomes more important. Not all of us reach that point at the same place in our lives. We spend a good portion of our lives building a career and becoming financially secure. Then we reach that point where we desire something more meaningful. We want something beyond the perks and paychecks and that places us into the arena of personal significance.

When you have achieved certain objectives or perhaps attained a certain age, you are asking yourself “is this all there is?” For most of us when we ask that question, we are still earning that paycheck, but we are seeking significance. Many of us reach out to help others through the church such as the Food Pantry, teaching a Sunday school class, serving on committees, planting and tending a community garden or serving others outside of the church such as with Helping Hands or other community based organizations that demonstrate God’s love and our service to improve the lives of others.

Earlier I asked how well you knew yourself. We all have talents. I believe that we all have special abilities and temperaments that enable us to achieve. I don’t believe that God would ask us to do something that would require us to use abilities we don’t possess. As I look at the members of our congregation, I see many people leading lives of significance. I also look at others and wonder. Perhaps I don’t know them well enough, but are you seeking to be significant? Leading a life of significance doesn’t require a job change; it requires a change of heart. It’s a change in the way you view the world and reorder your life. If you are looking for significance, you don’t have to wait to be asked to join. Just reach out and seek to help, God will show you the way.

Now what does this have to do with the Food Pantry? It has everything and nothing to do with the Food Pantry. It has all to do with you. It’s all about you and God. Perhaps God is calling you to become involved in mission work right here in the First Presbyterian Church. Is He stirring your heart to get involved? Is He stirring your heart to open up to people, to talk to the lonely person in your neighborhood, to be kind and caring to those at work or something that only you feel. Don’t deny these feelings, but think about what you need to do to have a positive effect on others. You are encouraged to volunteer at the Food Pantry. So many wonderful things are being accomplished to help those truly in need.

If you are interested in learning more about the Food Pantry, please contact Lloyd Collins through the church office at 273-5450.