Traditionally, spring break is a time when college students get away from home and relax. Many opt to go to the beach, and others may go up north and ski. No matter where people go, though, spring break sometimes gets turnt. People make questionable decisions that may be unlike them while trying to unwind.
Although spring break is a week that we want to use to relax, going to the beach is not the only option. Sometimes it can be just as relaxing to give back your time during a break. Being refreshed doesn't always have to come from lying on a beach all day.
So I present you with a challenge. I know plans are already in place for this spring break, but maybe for the next one you can embrace this idea. Instead of relaxing, focusing on yourself, and maybe making those not-so-good decisions, take the week to give back. This doesn't have to be a task you do by yourself. Invite your friends to do it with you. Pick a project or an organization as a group and spend time really investing in others.
There are so many different projects to get involved in for a week. Try volunteering at a soup kitchen or a homeless shelter. Often these organizations just need people to clean or sort through donations. This can lead to great memories as your friends and you try on some ridiculous clothes. Habitat for Humanity centers are also a great place to get involved. They have many projects that differ depending on what area you are in. Some of these projects could even involve building a home for an impoverished family. You could even travel to a beach town and get involved there!
This idea is a challenge. I am challenging myself and everyone else to remember to give back to our communities. Christ called us to serve and we can choose to do it whenever. As Christians, we are called to sacrifice our time for others. It is a unique importunity though to spend an entire week serving others. At the end of the week, you will be surprisingly refreshed and energized because of the impact you have made on other people. Choosing to serve may seem like it is costing you at first, but when you look back on your decisions, you will see that you gained so much from it. So this spring break, the week after, or whenever, take some time to get outside yourself and give back.
"Even the Son of Man came to serve and not be served." -- Matthew 20:28
