Service is most often thought of during the Christmas season but should not be forgotten during high school. It not only helps people in need but allows for spiritual and moral growth that may lead to finding your purpose.
For many students, the 80-hour service requirement to graduate seems initially daunting. Venturing towards the path of doing the least amount of work possible seems to be most people’s first choice at the start of the journey. But I strongly advise against taking the easy route, as what you put into the world is what you get out. Through hours of hard work, meeting new faces, and putting yourself in the shoes of people facing unimaginable barriers, your mindset shifts into one, not of obligation, but love.
As I entered my sophomore year of high school, I started the Catholic Women’s Empowerment Club, rooted in the belief that we can grow closer to God through serving others. Our first project was serving a meal at Sheffield Place, an organization that helps mothers and their children take the journey from homelessness to self-sufficiency.
This act of making and serving dinner gave the families an hour of peace in their chaotic lives. That is why the service of high school students matters. You have to recognize it is nearly impossible to change someone’s life in a few hours, but you can give them your time, talent and treasure to create feelings of serenity that will have a larger impact when combined.
In the last three years of the club’s existence, we have gifted these peaceful moments to over 120 people impacted by homelessness. Bringing together one community to help another has been a profound experience shaping who I am and what I value.
The same thing happens to many people. They find an organization that corresponds to what they are passionate about and put their heart into doing it as much as possible. If you like engineering you can help with middle school clinics or the building of costumes for children with disabilities. Maybe you find joy in reading and you opt to teach that love to the next generation. Sports camps and open gyms are held where athletes can share their skills and work ethic, leaving little kids feeling supported and inspired. The things that make us happy can be our driving forces for why and how we serve others.
2 Corinthians 9:7 says, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” These perfect words are the epitome of what you have to do to live fully. Humbling yourself and allowing the Lord to work through you is the recipe for joy. Serving others has given me friendships, gratitude and a strong sense of purpose I would not have otherwise. Even if you feel reluctant about certain projects, I urge every one of you to go outside your comfort zone and say yes to serving others. You will never regret it.
