Among the many things deeply rooted in American life, one that I have always admired is volunteerism. Not only in hospitals, schools, and churches, but also in international events, national competitions, and even elections, the unified strength of volunteers forms an extraordinary organizational force—one that helps move this nation.

Some volunteers give financially; others offer their professional skills or carve out precious time from busy schedules to help where help is needed. Still others, even without any particular talent or expertise, joyfully take the initiative to serve wherever they can.

There is a young woman who volunteers at a nursing home every Saturday. For years, she has placed her adorable poodle in a basket and visited the residents, handing the little dog to each elderly person sitting outside in the fresh air and sunlight. The residents wait eagerly for her arrival. When she appears, they greet her warmly and try to be the first to hold the poodle whining softly in the basket. Some residents, who seem lost in confusion, suddenly brighten—opening their eyes as the dog licks their hands and faces, feeling the warm spark of life against their chest. The young woman watches with satisfaction as they pet, hold, play with, and talk to the little dog, and then she quietly returns home.

Another woman, Ms. Branda Hamilton, works for the Partnership of Homelessness in New York. Though she works in the office for the welfare of the homeless, she also volunteers several nights a week to sleep in the church basement with them, serving them with her life. Some nights she stays awake caring for more than thirty homeless men by herself, yet she says she is never afraid. In fact, the men try to protect this young and beautiful Branda. She hopes more people will experience the joy and fulfillment that come from volunteer service.

There are coaches who lead neighborhood soccer and baseball teams, musicians who gather scattered performers to form orchestras, volunteer ambulance teams for emergency patients, volunteers who assist fire stations and police departments for community safety, and volunteers who become guardians for foreign patients—visiting hospital rooms, interpreting, offering their homes for recovery, and driving them where they need to go. The joy that comes from giving one’s time and resources freely is something unimaginable unless experienced firsthand.

Around us, too, there are people quietly living out this spirit. One church member regularly visits an elderly woman in a nursing home, caring for her as if she were her own mother—bringing Korean food she enjoys and finding joy in seeing her eat well. Whenever the two meet, they hold each other’s hands tightly, sharing warmth and silently wiping their eyes. The elderly woman, grateful for these visits yet having nothing to give, collects the disposable paper plates she has used and draws simple flower pictures on the back with a ballpoint pen—offering them as gifts.

A few months ago, a longtime bachelor in our church finally married. A particular group rejoiced more than anyone—the elderly members of the church. For seven years, this young man had volunteered every Sunday to drive elderly members without cars to and from church. Rain or snow, morning to evening, he served without complaint or recognition, even up to two weeks before his wedding. The church “suspended” his volunteer duties for a year so he could devote himself to newlywed life. Now, under God’s blessing, he enjoys a joyful marriage with a beautiful, faithful bride.

There are also those who pray day and night and visit regularly a church member who has been in a coma for more than six months; those who drive elderly neighbors to hospitals, markets, and church; those who volunteer as teachers in Korean school and Sunday school for the sake of our children. Their labor and devotion remain as light that pushes back the darkness of this world.

I think of Jesus Christ, the first volunteer, who could not bear to see us crushed under the weight of our sin and freely gave His life. He willingly carried the cross and emptied Himself unto death. Because His voluntary suffering and love remain in this world, our future and our lives are preserved eternally in His light. Volunteer service, I believe, is one of the shortest paths by which human beings may participate in the holy work of God.

— Yoon Wan‑Hee, November 7, 1994