Last night our FCA Huddle completed our city clean-up project. While the act of adopting a one-mile stretch of the city streets in our small town is a small service, the fact that we had six Huddle members show up in cold, wet conditions said wonders about their dedication and commitment to serving their community. It would have been easy for them to blow off the event and stay home where it was dry so that they could work on homework or the 15-page paper many had due for their composition class. But these kids chose to take the path less traveled and work through steady rain showers to make their community a little nicer.

Today, I challenge you to take the opportunity to help others no matter how small the task is. Step up to help out! First Peter 4:10 (NIV) tells us to use what God has given us to serve others: “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.” Even though not many people were aware of the six individuals who helped out, the participants were still able to serve as positive examples and able to bless others.

In the future there is no doubt in my mind that, when we choose to help out rather than make an excuse to avoid a task, we will not only make our communities better, we will show the grace of God to a watching world.