Galatians 5:13-14
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
The church has kind of turned service into more of a group event than an individual attitude. It's a mission trip to another country or a less-fortunate area in the U.S., but are we remembering to nurture a heart of service every day? Jesus served everybody, everyday, all day. He served anybody He came across as he traveled the journey of his short life and we are to serve like Him as we travel the journey of ours.
Opportunities for service are all around us if we look. There are people in assisted living apartments and nursing homes who are lonely. There are older people in the congregation who could always use help around the yard or the house. There are parents who would love time away from their kids to run some errands or get jobs done around the house. There are single moms who could always use help taking care of their homes or yards or taking care of their kids for a while to give them a much needed break. There are single women who would love some help or advice with their car or their homes. There are single men who would love a home cooked meal. There are kids who would love for other kids to be nice to them. And the most important but the least offered is giving time to someone who has been hurt and just needs an ear or a hug. There are people to serve all around us!
Let's teach our congregations to adopt an attitude of humble servitude. Help them get started by keeping a list of service opportunities for individuals in the congregation and not just organizations. When somebody asks me for a favor, before I answer I ask myself, "Do I have a good reason to say 'no'?" I rarely do. Let's pay attention to those around us, serve them as Jesus did, and teach our children that service is not a group event but an attitude.
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