God calls us to serve even when it is uncomfortable. He takes us out of our comfort zone and places us right in the middle of situations where we never expected to be. We often feel well out of our league and ready to question how we ended up there in the first place.
Sometimes we end up in situations where we aren’t sure how to serve. What can we offer? Our resources and abilities seem small compared to what is being required of us. The need may seem greater than we can understand. We are at a loss for words because there is nothing left to say. How do we serve in circumstances like these?
Matthew 10:8b says, “Freely you have received; freely give.” (NIV) What skills and resources has God blessed us with? This question might be considered in relation to finances, time, or any particular abilities we may possess. There are areas where God has blessed each of us with unique abilities and skills that we can use for His glory. We all have our own ways in which we shine when serving and we feel most comfortable in situations where the call to serve matches our skill set.
But what happens when we don’t have the skills or resources needed to meet a particular circumstance? What about those times when we aren’t so sure what we can give? How do we serve when we don’t have the skills or resources to physically solve the problem and yet we have been placed in a position where we know God is asking us to reach out? What do we do when we are too tired to offer much time or maybe we are committed to other obligations that make serving in a particular fashion difficult?
What then? How do we serve when we can’t figure out what we can freely give? What if the well just seems dry? I’ve often struggled with these feelings as I’ve tried to balance too much during different seasons of my life. Often I would end up feeling guilty because I felt like I couldn’t serve in the way that I thought I was “supposed” to.
Over time, I’ve realized that I am the one placing those expectations to serve a specific way on myself. It really just all comes down to love. Even when we can’t think of anything else to offer, we can demonstrate love.
Jesus died for me. He gave so fully and freely of His love that He took my sins and He hung on a cross and died for me. Freely I have received love and freely I can give love.
What does this look like? I Corinthians 13:4-8 gives us a solid illustration of what love looks like. It says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
I like to reread these words, dwelling on each thought as I consider what love looks like.
Patient.
Kind.
Not envious.
Not boastful.
Not proud.
Does not dishonor.
Not self-seeking.
Not easily brought to anger.
Does not keep a record of wrongs.
Does not rejoice in evil.
Delights in truth.
Love protects, trusts, hopes, and keeps going no matter what.
It NEVER fails.
Aren’t these words powerful? They are evidence of the strength contained in the simple act of loving someone. Even when we can’t think of any other way to help, we can simply show love. Love, freely given, can heal hidden wounds and reach into places where nothing else can help.
When we pray and trust God to show us how to love someone He will show us what is needed, even when all our other resources are depleted. Loving someone doesn’t have to take a lot of effort. We can still serve freely, while serving simply.
We’ve all had people say to us, and probably have said ourselves, “Just come sit with me. I just want you to be with me.” Have you ever thought that this is a way you can serve? Sometimes our smallest actions can have a profound impact. When we offer our time, our presence, God can use that. Of course, loving someone can take many forms, but often the one that has been the most meaningful to me is just having someone listen to me or offer to sit quietly with me when there is nothing that needs to be said.
Love helps us reimagine what it means to serve. What if we give ourselves grace when we feel like we don’t have anything left to offer? Our service can be simple but meaningful. What if we just loved one another as Jesus loved us?
Take it Further: Can you think of other ways to serve freely, but also serve simply?
