Dictionary.com defines a volunteer as "a person who performs a service willingly and without pay." (And the Bible does not even use the word volunteer! It is called service!)
The without pay is, of course, a given. But have you ever been a volunteer and you realize that you aren't serving in that capacity as willingly as you might have previously? I have! One year, MANY years ago, I nearly lost my religion teaching Sunday School to 6th grade boys. I was a professional high school teacher and I had loved to teach Sunday school for years, but that particular year it turned into UNwilling service!
Maybe it has happened to you, too. This awareness might come on suddenly or perhaps slowly you become aware that the passion is gone for what you previously enjoyed. And while there can be various reasons for something like this "burn out" to occur, you may find yourself serving in an area that really isn't a good fit for you. To use a phrase Cindy Ryan has used in relating to serving in a place that DOES fit you well ~ "it makes your heart sing"!
A few weeks ago you got to read of the Thrift Shop doing their Change Over for summer, and all the volunteers coming together to unbox and hang up the entire new line of warm weather clothes. The first day they opened, and all of the regular shoppers had been awaiting that fresh new opportunity to come and buy their summer wardrobe, the Thrift Shop had a record breaking day in sales! I think it was in part because of the love those volunteers pour into their "jobs." And their leader, Angela Ozymy, has poured her love into them! She closed a Board meeting the other day with a simple but profound quote from Elizabeth Andrew and I asked her if I could use it this week: "Volunteers do not necessarily have the time, they just have the heart."
Perhaps you think there is no time for anything else in your life. And yet, what if some act of service could be just the thing that makes your heart sing, and you haven't identified exactly what that might look like yet? Hoping I can help! Please contact me if I can!