Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
John 14:12 (NIV)
Can we really do the works of the Lord in the 21st century? We may not be able to perform miracles, but we can, like Jesus, be kind and compassionate and helpful to others.
He smiles on all the ways that we offer help to others. The Lord asks us to use our time and our talent for the service of others. Of course that includes our financial talent, but if we’re lacking in those resources, what other talents do we have that could be of assistance?
Writing a check is one thing (and certainly needed!), but giving of our own personal time and using our abilities to help someone else gives a warm feeling all over!
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
1Peter 4:10 (NIV)
Not sure what to offer…or to whom? Think of the abilities we have that could be used to help others free of charge. Who do we see struggling to manage affairs with just their own resources & abilities? Do we have a talent that we usually get paid for or that comes very easily to us that we could just offer to someone in need? That’s surely a way to serve!
I keep remembering a song that we often sang in church when I was growing up. I can’t remember the name of it, but the chorus was…
Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers…That you do unto me.
Perhaps we don’t have the funds or extraordinary capabilities to share with others. That needn’t stop us from serving in the way Jesus did when He was here on earth.
Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people
Ephesians 6:7
We all have busy lives filled with appointments and tasks we need to complete. Try to take some time everyday just to NOTICE someone. It doesn’t have to include a lengthy conversation. (They’re probably just as busy as we are.) Did they get a new haircut? Lose a few pounds? Or better yet, comment on how well they’re handling something. “I don’t know how you do it!”
Others like to be noticed. Don’t you? In that way, we are serving them by making them feel good about themselves and inspiring them to use their gift. Try paying attention and commenting to someone who’s a stranger. What were they doing that you wish you were better at…that you admire? That’s what Jesus did. He just paid attention to people.
We can ask the Lord to give us a servant’s heart. Unlike my physical disabilities, we can’t always perceive what others are struggling with. Many times they don’t want us to know.
Unfortunately, as human beings we have a natural tendency toward selfishness…so we need God’s help to put others’ needs ahead of our own. Contemplate every day what we could do to make someone else’s life a little easier…or make them feel a little better about themselves.
The ultimate gift we can give to serve others is to pray for them! As the survivor of a traumatic brain injury, I’ve seen the outcome of others’ prayers in the last 20+ years. I believe these prayers have truly increased my faith & trust in how God is working in my life. No…I have not received a miraculous healing. Instead I’ve been given a faith that keeps me always hopeful that God will use the circumstances of my life in a positive way…so that I may always be able and ready to serve others.
Dear Lord,
Please give us a heart to serve others. It’s so easy to focus just on our own needs and those of our family.
Help us to use our gifts and resources to serve the good of all the souls You’ve put in our path. Give us the wisdom to know where You’re calling us to help others.
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