Serving Others

1 Corinthians 12:26-27 (NIV) ²⁶ If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. ²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Serving others; this is something that has been weighing so heavy on my heart lately. We can always lift others up in prayer, but we also have to realize that, at times, He requires more from us than that.  We are the hands and feet of Christ and if we are living a life for Him then we must also reach out as He would do. 

I think sometimes we get lost in what can we do. A situation can look too big and we allow fear to stop us.  Possibly we feel like what little contribution we can offer would be too insignificant to even matter.  However, the truth of the matter is most times it’s not the “action” we perform as much as it is the heart and motive behind it that really makes the difference.  

There are so many ways we can reach out to others; cook a meal for a family, offer to help the elderly around the house or even just to sit with someone and offer them your undivided time and attention.  There is so much hurt, isolation and blindness is this world that a simple heartfelt conversation with sincere intentions could truly be the “miracle” that someone needs in their life.  

This past Sunday my Pastor asked us: of all the time you’ve been coming to church, sitting in the same area and coming to the same service, how well do you know the person next to you?  Think about that! How often do you encounter the same individuals and not take the time to actually talk to them; to get to know them and be there for them if you can be? 

  

Mark 10:45(NLV) ⁴⁵ For the Son of Man did not come to be cared for. He came to care for others. He came to give His life so that many could be bought by His blood and be made free from sin.”

Our own Heavenly Father sent His only Son, not to live a selfish life in royalty as He so deserved, but instead to serve others.  To give of Himself in word and deed that we may know what true service and love are.  

If we as Christians can’t be the hands and feet of Jesus: to serve, lift up and just plain be there for others…then what is our real purpose?  Reach out to someone today; give a kind word or an unselfish gesture…take the time to get to know someone and offer yourself.  I’m pretty sure in the end, they will not be the only one blessed because your actions will bless your heart and your life too.