Called to Serve

“Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow....” (Isaiah 1:17)

One of our tasks and callings as people of faith is to touch and make a difference in the physical and material lives of people around us in our community and world.  We’re called to follow the example of Christ by serving others, not simply be served ourselves.  Growing up, I remember singing the words to one hymn that put it well:

     “Look all around you, find someone in need,

Help somebody today

 Tho’ it be little – a neighborly deed,

           Help somebody today!

 Help somebody today, somebody along life’s way;

 Let sorrow be ended, the friendless befriended,

            Oh help somebody today!

                     [--“Help Somebody Today” (Cokesbury Hymnal #67), lyrics by Frank Breck, 1932]

The founder of Methodism John Wesley is said to have encouraged something similar nearly 200 years before when he wrote the following:

“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can,

 In all the ways you can, in all the places you can,

 At all the times you can, to all the people you can,

 As long as you ever can.”

Over the next week, I invite you to look around you and find someone that you can help/serve.  Maybe its someone at your work, a neighbor down the street, one of our church’s homebound members, someone you know that has recently lost their job or had their hours cut back, or perhaps it is a stranger in another state who’s experienced loss from the recent hurricanes and storms. 

Whoever it is, I encourage you to be intentional about sharing your faith by making a difference in the lives of others!  Remember, God loves you and I do, too!