November 8, 2018

Help People

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. – Philippians 2:3-4

Late yesterday afternoon during a torrential downpour I drove to a neighboring town. Why? Because a friend’s truck, which was in the shop for repair, was ready to be picked up. He needed a ride. I provided it.

Was it convenient? No. Was it fun? Nope. White-knuckle driving isn’t fun. But he needed a ride and I was able to give him one. Gladly, I might add. Because we all need someone sometimes.

We live in a world that tells us to look out for number one. Life has become a continual competition. We must “win” at any cost, against anyone else. It doesn’t matter if it’s work or family or church or neighborhood. We’ve got to be out front or we’ve lost. That’s what the world tells us, anyway.

In Jesus’ kingdom, just the opposite is true. We are to be servants. We are to help people. We are to share what we have freely with others, whether we believe they deserve it or not.

We brush that last bit aside. We choose to ignore what Jesus really said and focus on what makes sense to us. Being a disciple of Jesus isn’t easy. Why? Because it’s not about us. It’s about Him. It’s about serving the people He loves, whether it’s convenient or not.

A few years ago I called on a friend to give my Mother a ride home. We were at the hospital where my Dad was in ICU. I didn’t have time to take her home and be back for the next visitation. She was worn out and needed to rest. It was one of many times when I was torn apart trying to balance the needs of two elderly parents.

This friend drove about 30 miles to get her, then another 30-plus miles to take her home. Then he had another 22 miles to get back to his home. It wasn’t a quick trip. And that’s without adding in the slow movements of an elderly person. He did it anyway. Would you?

I’ve had people go out of their way to help me with cows, with furniture, with downed trees. I’ve had people who show up again and again, whether it’s at the hospital or my home, just because they wanted to know I was okay.

On the flip side of that, I’ve tried to be there for others. It’s not always easy. I’ve sat in hospital rooms, spent the day taking a mom to see her daughter in ICU in another state, baked cakes to entice finicky eaters, and done many other things. Why? Because it matters.

People remember that you show up. You don’t need fancy words or a bank full of money. You don’t need to be able to fix what’s broken. You just need to be there.

And it needs to be about them. What do they need? What service can you provide? How can you help? It’s not about what you want but what they want.

 Most of the time helping others isn’t convenient. Do it anyway. It’s rarely easy. Do it anyway. It can drain you emotionally and physically. Do it anyway. You’ll never regret helping someone who is truly in need.

May 19, 2016

We Are To Serve

43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 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.” -- Mark 10:43-45

The other day I was minding my own business while driving to town. Unfortunately, someone else decided to insert themselves into my business.

The road narrows, going from two lanes to one. No problem for most of us. Everyone merged accordingly. Except for the tan Expedition. That driver was determined to be first. She almost ran me off the road and came close to rear ending the car in front of me.

I have no idea what her hurry was all about. But I wonder if it was worth almost causing two accidents. And I wonder if she ever considered that she was to share the road and obey the traffic signs. Somehow I doubt it.

No matter what is going on in life -- whether it’s traffic or job or family -- somebody always wants to be first. The problem comes when their desire tramples all over the rights of others.

Do you remember this story in the Bible? John and James wanted to sit on either side of Jesus when He entered His glory. They wanted Jesus to promise -- before they even asked Him. You can imagine how well that went over with the other 10 disciples.

That’s what happens when we try to elevate ourselves over others. It causes dissention. It causes hard feelings. And it makes us look pretty bad.

In the world of our faith, we are called to serve others. It’s what Jesus did and it’s what He expects us to do. Except we don’t do servanthood well, do we? We want to lead and give orders but that’s not the way of Jesus.

In the way of Jesus, we let the other cars go ahead and merge in to traffic. In the way of Jesus, we support and help others to be successful. In the way of Jesus, we serve without expecting anything in return.

It’s something to think about the next time we are trying to win at the expense of someone else.