Linda's Thoughts for June2016

Serving Others

Recently my husband and I were enjoying a mid-week morning out together (one of the many blessings of a ministerial sabbatical) and went into a coffee shop for a break. The girl who served us was very pleasant and helpful and the coffee shop had a lovely atmosphere. We put this down to her attitude and that of her fellow staff-members. Sadly, my experiences are not always like that. The previous day I had the opposite experience when, in an informal gathering, one of our number spent her time complaining and speaking unkindly and pessimistically about everything and everyone. This sharp contrast got me thinking about how we best serve others, and about how our daily attitudes influence people, especially in relation to our witnessing on behalf of to our wonderful Saviour. One of my dearest friends was a wonderful lady who always thought about other people even though she had many problems of her own. You never left her home without feeling really blessed, and usually with something in your hand. She was an exemplary servant of God and a powerful witness for Christ and the Christian life.

Our Saviour is our greatest example of service. Scripture is full of examples of Him serving others — from going out of His way to talk to the woman at the well, to healing lepers, to washing His disciples’ feet, to the ultimate sacrifice of giving His life on the cross. We often get so caught up in our own concerns that we do not think of others or look for ways to serve them sacrificially.

We need to be considerate of the needs of others and serve generously, without reservation and with gladness.

Opportunities to serve are all around us. It’s easy to find them when we are at home: doing something to help a family member or making someone a special meal during a difficult week. But God gives us plenty of opportunities to imitate His son outside our houses too. We can hold the door for someone pushing a pram, help a neighbour sort out their garden, bake a cake to encourage someone, or offer to look after children to enable a couple to have a night out. We can ensure that those who serve us well are well thanked and appreciated

Perhaps you could make a list of people in your home, neighbourhood, church and work. Then, as you pray for them, ask God to give you a sense of a need that He could fill through your service to them. And we can all pray that the Lord will give us a servant heart like His.

Brother, sister, let me serve you,

let me be as Christ to you;

pray that I may have the grace to

let you be my servant too.

We are pilgrims on a journey,

and companions on the road;

we are here to help each other

walk the mile and bear the load.

Linda McGuffin

MWI President.