This mantra from Friday Night Lights is more than inspirational. It describes the way followers of Jesus were made.

Clear eyes: We need an unobstructed view of reality - spiritual X-ray vision that allows us to see deep into the hearts of our sisters. We also need to fully understand the conditions in which we are working. We need knowledge, skills, and insight that allow us to serve with excellence.

Full heart: We need to be full of the love of Christ in order to share that love with others. We need our sisterhood to pour into us. We need the Holy Spirit to fill us up, so that we may overflow out of our abundance into the lives of others.

Can’t lose: We need an understanding that the harvest is not ours to worry about. If we follow Jesus, sowing the seeds He has given us to plant, we can’t lose. He is responsible for the winning. And He’s already won!

First-time volunteer Adrienne and her sister, repeat volunteer Lauren, spoke to all three of these characteristics of the servant’s life.

Adrienne told me how she was able to come with clear eyes because of the conversations with her sister about what to expect when she arrived, and she told me how the training sessions for volunteers clarified and enhanced her skills in facilitating small groups, providing self-care, and praying for women in global contexts. Lauren shared how the time of preparation before attendees arrive helps prepare her spiritually and emotionally, so she is ready to focus on the needs of the women when they show up tomorrow.

Lauren went on to discuss how the preparations fill her heart by connecting her with other women. There are intentional times of small group prayer, mixed group meals with discussion prompts, self-care team planning, and partner conversations. Each of these help fill the heart and knit together the volunteers as one cohesive team, ready to serve one another and the attendees. Adrienne shared how worship, time in God’s Word, and prayer have filled her up to be ready to pour out in a new way, focused on God’s glory.

Adrienne also shared how she is confident that God is going to do some big things this week. In other words, we can’t lose! Even though this is her first experience volunteering with Thrive, as she and her sister have been processing and sharing each night, she is able to see how God is moving. Lauren discussed the differences between her and her sister - Lauren’s an internal processor and gains energy from time alone, while Adrienne is an external processor and gains energy from time with others - and how these differences show that it’s not about who we are as individuals, but about who God is as our Lord, that will ultimately lead to success.

Throughout this week, these two sisters will have the privilege of using their professional skills of massage therapy to serve the women - and they will do so out of the abundance of their souls because of the time they’ve had these last few days to prepare themselves, their hearts, and their massage room.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17