“For I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked, and you clothed me, I was sick, and you visited me, I was in prison, and you came to me.” Matthew 25:35 – 36
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4
There are just so many verses about the simple fact that we are called to help one another. We should all be volunteering our time doing something for someone. I chose the above verses as just a few examples of the ways we can reach out and help others.
For the Matthew passage we help when we do acts of mercy. We offer food or drink when people are hungry or thirsty. We offer clothing for those who struggle to buy the clothes they need for themselves or their family members. We offer healing to those who are sick by ensuring they have access to medical care. We offer our time when we visit those who are lonely and disconnected to others and in need of friendship. We offer hope to all people when we advocate for fair justice procedures for those who have been arrested and could easily do service work instead of being incarcerated. People whose crimes are not paying a fine because they don’t have any money, or who would be better served by probation or community service. We are helpers when we plead for fair and just laws and practices where all people are treated equally.
In the Galatians passage we see that we are helpers when we carry each other’s burdens. When we are there for others when they are going through a difficult time in their life. When they are dealing with the death of a loved one. When they are struggling in their relationships or maybe when they need help figuring out how to budget so they can pay their bills. We help when we are willing to be present for people who need someone to come alongside as they work through the issues and struggles in their lives. And more importantly we offer our help to others unconditionally and without judgement. Because seriously, how much does it cost us to be a friend and an encourager to someone?
Philippians teaches us that we live our life in such a way that we realize that tending to the interests of others helps us as much as it helps our communities. We are only as strong as the weakest members of our community. When we are self-centered and only thinking about how everything impacts us, we are not tending to the needs of the community as a whole. Our first community is our family of origin. It is the place where we learn to be in relationships with other people and learn that just because we want something, doesn’t mean it is in the best interests of the family as a whole. Sometimes our needs are what come first, sometimes it is the needs of another family member. We are strongest when we are united together and not living as if we are the point the sun revolves around. And BTW…we are never the point the sun revolves around.
It is important to think about how we can help. It takes a little of our time and resources but in the long run, if is helps someone to be a little more capable in navigating through their life, we have offered far more than can be measured. So, how are you helping? What are you doing to help another shine?
May you become one of the many helpers this world needs.
Peace,
Pastor Beth
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