“For you, brethren, were [indeed] called to freedom; only [do not let your] freedom be an incentive to your flesh and an opportunity or excuse [for selfishness], but through love you should serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13 AMPC)
REFLECTION
I have experienced the terrible consequences of sin-soaked selfishness and I’ve experienced the indescribable peace and joy of helping others. And there have been times when I really didn’t feel like helping someone but I did so anyway, and I experienced the goodness of God. This I know: when we help others, we are helped and blessings abound for all involved. Blessings come in different forms and are not always what we think we want. For example: I once had to teach a very dysfunctional student for a very long time, and don’t recall ever looking forward to a lesson. But, by God’s grace, I kept showing up and focused on trying to help him in some way, and we both became more functional and focused in different ways. At the time it didn’t feel like blessings were abounding but they were, in the deepest part of the process.
Needs abound, so discernment is required, for we can’t all help everyone all the time. But, we can pray, ponder God’s Word and stay open to helping others, as we are given opportunities in our respective spheres of influence.
PRAYER POEM
Loving Lord ~ every breath is a gift from You, and You sustain us in all that we do. Show me who I can help today and grant me grace and wisdom to serve in a meaningful way.
