Serving Others
"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 10:45
We are immersed in a "me-first" culture that constantly tells us to look out for number one, to demand our rights, and to seek our own comfort above all else. But Jesus, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords, completely flipped that script. He came not to be served, but to serve. If the glorious Son of God willingly took on the role of a humble servant, how much more should we? Serving others is not something that is beneath you; it is your highest and most Christlike calling.
True greatness in God's kingdom is not measured by how many people serve you, but by how many people you serve. Serving is the practical application of love; it is essentially love in work clothes. When you serve others, whether by holding a door, cooking a meal for a sick friend, or volunteering in your church, you are walking in the very footsteps of Jesus. This act of service has a way of killing pride and cultivating genuine humility within us. Furthermore, serving others is one of the most effective cures for self-pity. It is nearly impossible to remain consumed with your own problems when you are actively engaged in helping someone else with theirs.
I vividly remember a time when I was feeling particularly down about my own circumstances, feeling unnoticed and unappreciated in my work. A wise mentor listened to my complaints and then simply said, "Go find someone to serve." Reluctantly, I went to a local food pantry to volunteer for the afternoon. Spending three hours handing out groceries to families who had next to nothing completely shifted my perspective. My own problems seemed to shrink, and my heart filled with gratitude. I went there intending to help them, but God beautifully used them to heal me.
Look for one specific, practical way to serve someone today. It does not need to be a large production. It could be as simple as taking out your neighbor's trash can, buying a coffee for a coworker, or sending an encouraging note to someone who is struggling.
Jesus, thank You for the ultimate act of service in giving Your life for me. Please forgive me for my selfishness and my tendency to focus on my own needs. Help me to follow Your beautiful example by serving others with a joyful heart today. Show me the needs around me and give me the willingness to meet them. In Your name, Amen.
We are immersed in a "me-first" culture that constantly tells us to look out for number one, to demand our rights, and to seek our own comfort above all else. But Jesus, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords, completely flipped that script. He came not to be served, but to serve. If the glorious Son of God willingly took on the role of a humble servant, how much more should we? Serving others is not something that is beneath you; it is your highest and most Christlike calling.
True greatness in God's kingdom is not measured by how many people serve you, but by how many people you serve. Serving is the practical application of love; it is essentially love in work clothes. When you serve others, whether by holding a door, cooking a meal for a sick friend, or volunteering in your church, you are walking in the very footsteps of Jesus. This act of service has a way of killing pride and cultivating genuine humility within us. Furthermore, serving others is one of the most effective cures for self-pity. It is nearly impossible to remain consumed with your own problems when you are actively engaged in helping someone else with theirs.
I vividly remember a time when I was feeling particularly down about my own circumstances, feeling unnoticed and unappreciated in my work. A wise mentor listened to my complaints and then simply said, "Go find someone to serve." Reluctantly, I went to a local food pantry to volunteer for the afternoon. Spending three hours handing out groceries to families who had next to nothing completely shifted my perspective. My own problems seemed to shrink, and my heart filled with gratitude. I went there intending to help them, but God beautifully used them to heal me.
Look for one specific, practical way to serve someone today. It does not need to be a large production. It could be as simple as taking out your neighbor's trash can, buying a coffee for a coworker, or sending an encouraging note to someone who is struggling.
Jesus, thank You for the ultimate act of service in giving Your life for me. Please forgive me for my selfishness and my tendency to focus on my own needs. Help me to follow Your beautiful example by serving others with a joyful heart today. Show me the needs around me and give me the willingness to meet them. In Your name, Amen.
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8 Comments
Amen! Serving others is definitely a cure for self pity! I am reminded of being depressed during Christmas season years ago. I went out and bought some socks, wrapped them and took them to a nearby nursing home and handed them out to the residents there. My attention was immediately taken off of “me” and my heart was filled with joy as I hugged the residents and wished them a Merry Christmas! This was a life changing lesson for me! Serving others will restore your soul!
For a while now I have been practicing the principles of Malachi 3 for tithing and offerings. I give 1/2 to the church and a few organizations that do God’s work but I keep the other half in my pocket for people on the street who the Holy Spirit moves me to stop and help. Is it always the Holy Spirit guiding me? Maybe not but it’s the practice of helping someone less fortunate that is His fruit. I don’t have much but I always have enough and that’s part of God’s promise in Malachi 3.
Amen!!!
I have been serving most of my life, family, friends the less fortunate but I do have to remember not to complain about it.Regardless if I feel that all people do is take. God is the one that fills my cup so it’s fine.
amén!
This is a good one Pastor Ed. I am obviously apart of a fellowship in recovery. Anyone who pays attention I’m sure picked up on that. There was this kind of teaching going around that made it seem like once I gave my life to God (taking the steps) that life would suddenly become easy and also that i wouldn’t really be having to do much. Now that’s nowhere in the literature of course but I hung on to it. In my experience since I have been following the spirit the exact opposite. I have never been so busy in my life. I am more busy at home than I am at work even. The Holy Spirit constantly provides me with all these different things that “can” be used to help others. But if you’re not careful you’ll miss it. I have really had to pay attention to what He is telling me or showing me. In the moment I don’t know what those things are for. I have even got upset because I didn’t get what I wanted not knowing that even though I tried to get something for myself the Holy Spirit heard my prayers that morning so He gave me something I needed to help someone else. There has been soooooooo many things and even had items from several years ago eventually become exactly what someone else needed to solve their huge issue. Does the Holy Spirit help us? Absolutely. I get to serve so many people in that way. And I never know what’s going on until all of a sudden I find myself shining like a my own little version of a super hero. It starts either my youngest son, the goes out and around everyone who is around him, and then outwards to everyone outside of my family who surround me. I have learned to always protect my surroundings. If I expect to win then everyone around me must do the same and it’s my job to help them. Also my prayer life has been rocking lately! I even got to feel and I am starting to see the “Kingdom coming” again. In all His glory. Yes, He is absolutely worthy. Those that stand before the Lord will bow before Him but not out of defeat but out of worship. For He truly is Great.
Hi. Please let Pastor Ed know that I appreciated today's comment and want him to encourage him that his message IS reaching people. I've always been a stranger her on earth and gone by What would Jesus Do as my mantra since I was a kid. I accepted Jesus at age 11 and truly put that covering as my entire life. I don't care about money as some people are consumed. I'm not a fool with it, it's just if someone needs I try. Well, now I'm facing age 70 in a month and in my hospital bed in room provided by my son, air conditioned with my on 1/2 bath...he thinks he's making the ultimate sacrifice. It's not that I don't appreciate him, but I am so forgotten, so lonely with more diagnoses of illnesses inside my body that even my doctors are surprised when I read it. I've started carrying around a three page list of my current diagnoses so I don't overwhelm or look like a pity case, all over my medications, and my medical team. I struggle to walk my limit of about five steps dragging my left leg that seems to have given up on me to my mobile scooter. I make my own appointments, get myself to my appointments alone riding the county's para-transit, and transfer back to my smaller scooter that gets me around the house back to my room. Sometimes I cry out loud that the pain is such a fury I can't get my leg back up into the bed. I live with four other adults and a two-year-old. Not one person asks how the appointment went or if I'm okay. I'm NOT! My husband died of Alzherimer's in 2020, and I cared for him until his dying day and was holding his had until he drew his last breath. I'm not physically capable of much. Even my fingers have turned numb on my right hand NOW, so i will have to shut up! I'm trying to get to the point. When I wake up in the morning, I try to start my first thought with "Good Morning, Jesus" and when I'm feeling a little better add "please make me a sunshine to someone today" A few weeks ago, I just finished helping an online friend that I met in a correspondence group of ladies around my age. The lady fell and she's extremely active, broke both legs and was at the mercy of her lower functioning daughter. It was a blessing for me as I stepped in and sent groceries to her house. I just pretended I was shopping for myself who was out of everything. I didn't ask her what she needed I just blessed her with a surprise. I know how to lay here helpless, she didn't. For almost four months as she lay there recovering and had only enough social security to pay the house and some of the bills, I don't know what she would have done. Over the period of time I've known her I never pressed about her faith but do know she professes to be a believer. When I would send stuff to her (around $400 a month out of my personal $$). She would thank me, I told her to thank Jesus. Long story short, I would up going way into the red but I never told her that. She's back on her feet now and back to work where she only works enough to put bread on her table. Every time she gushed on me, I told her to gush on Jesus. I didn't tell her how I was sacrificing, I'm only so happy it's over now. I feel so blessed and I hope she reaches out to the Lord and learned something from it. I hate when people push "religion" down my throat...but like I started out saying, people have always thought I was weird and I can tell you...throughout my life I've only had two friends, both who have died. I have "friends" along the way, but no Christian friends. I always feel judged and despised and have always suffered from depression. WHY DOESN'T THE LORD JUST GET ME OUTTA HERE! As I demise from all this stuff, no one in this house is going to bathe and help me with my personal needs. I make to much money to qualify for anything except week-day meals from the county senior program. Lately I've begun to appreciate that so much better. Maybe once a week sometimes three times in a quarter, my granddaughter has brought me their dinner, PLEASE PRAY FOR ME. I NEED JESUS' COMPASSION. I know He needs me here for some reason unknown to me. I watch Pastor Ed every week and sometimes his podcasts and when I am really lonely I go back and watch his reruns on YouTube, I live on Maui and sure wish I lived in San Antonio!! :) God bless you who took the time to read this and God bless Pastor Ed. Thanks for listening to this old lady whine.
I hear you Sue. And thank you for trusting us to not judge you. You don’t come off as complaining at all. Closed mouths don’t get fed. We are all praying for you I’m sure of that. And God is always with us. I don’t know what’s coming. Hell I’m only 44 years old. I don’t know much. What I do know is that God is good. And while i face my own difficulties I choose to not believe what I see and what those nagging whispering thoughts might tell me. I believe in the goodness of God and no matter what it looks like it’s all gonna work out for my good. Because that’s a promise. And what we believe is what we will see. Because we live by faith. Not by sight. I love you and all of us here because honestly for what you do for me. I’m not alone. We can do this together. Call my wife Karisa. 2104189592. God bless you