I have to tell you about something that happened and shook me up a bit. Not in a bad way, but in a good way, you know? You know what I mean?
I’ll give you a scenario. I’m a Pennsylvania girl. I love my morning coffee, reading my Bible, and spending time with my little dog, Mia, who is a Shichon—the fluffiest little teddy bear dog—and my Ragamuffin cat, Frida. I love my garden and flowers. My life is pretty rooted in the Christian faith, and I admit that I can sometimes be cautious about stepping outside that comfort zone. I’m not exactly an international traveler, unless you count the time Kevin and I accidentally drove into the wrong state while looking for a pancake house. Oops!
Now, imagine me—Irma—standing in front of the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, New Jersey. It’s an incredible Hindu temple. I mean, it’s breathtaking. I don’t think you can truly grasp the scale of the detail when I tell you it was built with Italian, Bulgarian, and Turkish Carrara marble and Indian craftsmanship. Every piece is intricately carved, including deities, symbols, and scenes from scripture. The temple is absolutely massive, spanning 183 acres. I felt so small. Like an African violet in a huge, ornate garden.
But here’s the thing that absolutely stopped me in my tracks: It wasn’t the marble or the height of the domes. It was the story of how it was built.
They told me that this stunning structure, this piece of art and devotion, was built by over 12,000 volunteers from all walks of life and different backgrounds. Twelve thousand people who just showed up. They gave their time, their skills, their sweat, and their passion. They weren’t paid. They just served.
I started thinking, Whew! That’s some serious commitment! That’s a burst of love and devotion.
Honestly, it felt a little embarrassing. As Christians, we talk a big game about faith and community. But sometimes, when I look at my own life, I see myself trying to do everything on my own or waiting for someone else to step up. I see myself trying to be served instead of serving.
But then I remembered something Jesus said: Mark 10:45: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
I told myself that what we need is a new way of thinking. We need to stop seeing service as a chore or as something only “professionals” do. We need to see it as our purpose, just as those 12,000 people saw their work as theirs.
As I walked through the complex, I was overwhelmed by the volunteers’ kindness. They welcomed everyone—even strangers like me who clearly didn’t know the rituals—with gentle hospitality. They stopped what they were doing to explain things. They helped people find their way. There was a quiet, joyful energy in their service.
I thought, “This is what God’s love looks like when it flows through human hands.” It doesn’t matter what building you’re in. It doesn’t matter what language you pray in. Seeing someone give their life, time, and energy to welcome a stranger, build something beautiful, or offer a piece of themselves without expecting anything in return is a reflection of the divine.
Now, I know what some of you might be thinking: “Grace, you went to a Hindu temple? Should we be spending time learning about other faiths?” I’ll be honest, that thought crossed my mind too. But let me tell you a story that explains this.
The Apostle Paul, one of the greatest evangelists ever, found himself in Athens, surrounded by people worshiping idols. He didn’t just walk in, shake his head, and leave. He stood in the middle of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I see that you are very religious in every way. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. What, therefore, you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you” (Acts 17:22–23).
Paul didn’t compromise his faith; he was just curious. He was open. He found common ground—the human desire to reach for something bigger than ourselves—and used it to share the gospel.
My point is this: It’s never too late to be curious and open to seeing God’s hand in the world around you. When I heard about the 12,000 volunteers, I didn’t see a different religion. I saw a powerful example of human devotion and sacrifice. I saw a challenge for myself.
What are we building with our lives? Are we building a monument to our own comfort, or are we chipping away at our stubbornness to create something beautiful for God?
I know contemplating life can be draining as opposed to just living it. We are mothers, wives, sisters, and friends. Our service often looks like folding laundry, having a late-night conversation with a family member, or showing up when we’re tired. It’s not always glamorous or made of Italian marble.
But in today’s media-centric, fast-paced, technology-driven climate, the simple act of service—welcoming the stranger, giving your time, building your life with intention—is stunning. It’s the kind of faith that gets God’s attention.
So let’s think about how we can serve today. Let’s not wait for something to break before making a meaningful leap. Let’s be like the 12,000 volunteers and just show up.
Go ahead. Be open. Be curious. Let Jesus give you the strength to serve with a joy greater than anything the world has to offer. Have a great night!