It might be easy to think about the Summit’s Multiply initiative as a time to step up our financial giving. But what about giving more of our time? God doesn’t just call us to be good stewards of our finances; he compels us to be good stewards of all that he’s given us, which includes our time.

For one Summit member, Stacey, it was a pretty easy decision for her and her husband to increase their financial giving, but soon after they made their Multiply Faith Commitment, she knew God wanted more than just their money. She was already serving occasionally at her Summit campus on Sundays, but Stacey clearly felt God calling her to take a step further to serve more.

Being asked to give up some of our precious time often leads to a list of excuses. Stacey was nearing the end of her pregnancy when she made the decision to obey and commit more of her time to serving in Summit Kids. At first she was worried that serving every week would lead to burnout, yet Stacey has been learning to let go of her control of her schedule and time and rely on God’s strength to serve him.

“It’s easy to make excuses, but it’s important to pray through if it’s a valid concern or just an excuse. It’s not always easy to serve when I’m tired, when the baby needs a nap, or when I really think I need time to myself. But God doesn’t abandon us in time of tiredness; he’s the one who gives us strength. It’s better to trust what God has in store for you and how he’ll work through you, rather than what you think you need for yourself.”

Since Stacey has committed more of her time to Summit Kids, she has clearly seen God work through her consistent serving. “I’m challenged to be more invested since it’s now my class; I’m not just popping in from time to time. It can be hard to engage with kids who are fearful and don’t know you well, but now they are comfortable with me since they see me each week, and it’s also been a blessing to engage with their parents that I see each Sunday.”

Just like with our finances, the decision to give more of our time isn’t just something to check off a list. Enthusiasm and joy in giving your time may be a challenging process, but “we can’t wait for our feelings to change before exercising faith and obeying,” Stacey said. “We have to start somewhere, even if it’s small. God blesses our baby steps and our obedience; the enthusiasm and joy will follow in time.”

By Abbey Temple
Volunteer Writer