In light of the article in the Oliver Chronicle this week, I have been asked what that was all about.  I recently had the opportunity to speak at  Volunteer Appreciation event.  The following is my address to that gathering.

I really didn’t know what to expect on the other side of the door; there was for me that moment of anxiousness.  But I had agreed to this volunteer opportunity and the call indicated there was a sense of urgency in responding, so Janice and I went, knocked on the door and quietly slipped inside.
 
Bill (not his real name) was lying beside his wife in a hospital bed, holding her close; she was in her final hours of life.  He noticed us as we made our way toward the room, “You must be Ken, I’m so glad you came.”
 
For the next twenty minutes or so we listened as Bill shared the story of their life together.  We interacted with him for a few minutes, offered some words of encouragement, comfort and hope and then left so that he could spend his final moments with his wife.
 
Stories like this get repeated every day in large centres and small communities as volunteers come alongside to support and encourage or provide practical expressions of service and kindness.
 
Today is about recognizing, appreciating, and honoring the commitment and dedication of our volunteers.  Whether you serve on the front lines supporting others--being a caring and compassionate presence, often at time when they are feeling weak and vulnerable and afraid; or if you provide a service that lifts and inspires others; or if you serve behind the scenes, providing administrative support or practical kinds of assistance that makes the environment or surroundings easier or more beautiful, in your own way each you give of yourself, your time and energy and resources to invest in others; to make a difference and make our communities a better place.
 
There is very little in life that brings as much satisfaction and joy than when we give of ourselves to come alongside, to bless and encourage, to support and lift up another person.  To serve as a volunteer is one of the highest callings in life.  It is sometimes demanding, sometimes challenging and draining, but it is one of the most noble, enriching and rewarding experiences we will ever have.
 
Look at any thriving community, dig a little beneath the surface and you will discover a group of dedicated volunteers.  Volunteers are the root of a strong community!  It takes all of us working together, giving and serving to make our communities a great place to live and work and play.
 
When we left Bill that evening, there was that moment when I sensed the short time we had invested that night was worth it; in a small way we had made a difference.  A few days later I received a card from Bill, in it he wrote:  Ken, I just wanted to thank you and your wife for coming to the hospital on such short notice and provide (my wife) with that spiritual comfort that she had asked for.  I left it to the last moment and would not have forgiven myself but suddenly you were there.  It gave me such comfort as her final hours ticked by.
 
This is the stuff I live for! 
 
Sometimes we get a note of thanks or a word of encouragement, but sometimes our efforts seemingly go unnoticed.  But not today!  Today we honor you; we celebrate your contribution; we express our appreciation and simply say ‘thank you’!  It is a privilege to be among you; I join in the celebration with you and want to be among those who say ‘well done’!

To all of our volunteers at Valley, who serve in our church and our communities, I say to you, 'thank you, well done'!

                                      Serve one another humbly in love.  (Galatians 5:13)

There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God
A place where sin cannot molest, near to the heart of God 

There is a place of comfort sweet, near to the heart of God
A place where we our Savior meet, near to the heart of God 

There is a place of full release, near to the heart of God
A place where all is joy and peace, near to the heart of God

                                                                                                                                                  Cleland McAfee

There have been times in my life when I have found that place; when I have been able to abide in His presence and find rest and peace and comfort and joy.  There have been times in my life when I have felt what the hymn writer has expressed.  Times when I have felt ‘near to the heart of God’; when I have known what is feel like I’m being held close by God;  to experience His support and divine encouragement.
 
We were created for such experiences.  There is something within all of us, even the strongest and proudest among us that longs to dwell in the presence of the Father.  In His Word God makes this incredible promise to us, Come near to God and he will come near to you.  (James 4:8)
 
God’s invitation to us has always been to come. That the God of the universe would say to you and to me, ‘come’, to be invited into His presence is almost beyond our comprehension.  But He does invite us and promises as we come toward Him, He will in turn come to us; to reveal Himself to us that we might experience what it is to know Him and to know His love and mercy, grace and kindness; to find in Him that place of comfort and rest and peace and joy.
 
God says we come into a relationship with Him through the miracle of grace; because Jesus has opened a way for us to be reconciled to the Father.  When we enter into such a relationship He then invites us to walk together with Him all the days of our life; through all of the ups and downs of life, through all our joys and sorrows.  And when our life comes to an end on earth, He will take us by the and we’ll walk with Him to a home He has prepared for us in heaven. 
 
It’s pretty amazing!  And some of us have known this kind of relationship with the Father.  Some may wonder if such a relationship is really is possible, but something deep within tells us speaks to our hearts and tells us it is not only possible but that we were made created to be in such a relationship.  For in living near to the heart of God, we discover what it is to have a confident faith; the kind of faith that will carry us through all our days here on earth and beyond this life to life eternal, a home in heaven with Him forever.
 
Today, God says to you…come near to Me and I will come near to you.  I just need to ask, how are you going to respond?  I want to encourage you to accept His invitation and just come.  Come with a humble spirit; come with a sincere heart and He will reveal Himself to you.  Come no matter where you are in your spiritual journey.  Come with your doubts and fears; with your heartaches and sorrows—just come, and find Him rest for your soul.
 
Some of you have longed to find such rest, rest for a troubled heart; it has eluded for too many years; this is your time to come. Come and rest in His presence. Come and bask in his love. Come to receive from Him mercy and grace.  My friends at Valley…come!