I remember as a child, my dad used to always tell me “You treat everyone with the same amount of respect. Whether it’s the President of the United States, or the custodian at your school, each person deserves to be treated with honor.” Jesus did the same. He knelt down to their level. He touched lepers (Matthew 8:1-3), washed feet (John 13:5), and ate with sinners (Mark 2:15). There was never judgment, fear, or impatience when walking with them, only honor. Each face He looked at, He loved. Jesus LIVED out a life of service. His three years of ministry before the crucifixion is summed up in this: He loved to love on people!
Knowing the model He set before us, it sometimes seems daunting to be in a constant state of ‘outpouring’. There are a lot of people in our world in need of many different things. The needs become so great, it feels as though restoration may never be reached- that freedom may never be attainable.
But God.
But God, in His great mercy, has given us as believers a mission!! Galatians 5:13-14 says, “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
What does this mean for us? Chapter five in Galatians goes on to encourage the believer to walk in the fruit of the Spirit, leaving behind the life of flesh (Galatians 5:18-25). When we enter into the Presence of God, we start to take on His likeness (Ephesians 2:24). The deeper I lean into Christ, the more I want to serve His people. The more I want to imitate His ability to get on someone’s level; to meet them where they’re at, with no judgment or expectation of something in return- the easier it becomes to love them.
I meet someone new almost every single day. With them, comes a complete set of what the Bible calls “the worries of life”. Real people, dealing with HARD things. Most of the time, I truly have no common ground apart from the promise that God holds each of us in His hands. While this fact may not give “practical” tools to fix whatever one may be struggling with, it does give me the freedom to say “I’ve got good news; I know a God who LOVES you! Better than I ever could, and deeper than any hurt may run. A King who’s saved a place for you. Can I tell you about Him?”
Like Peter in the book of Acts, he had no money to share with the “lame man”, but he had something better- the power of the Holy Spirit! Instead of giving the lame man silver or gold, Peter shared with him the gift of faith in Jesus, and the man left the square “walking, leaping, and praising God…” (Acts 3:8) Peter experienced the overflow of God’s Spirit, moving through him.
What’s in it for me? A heart that’s tender for what breaks God’s heart. A spirit that craves to be a part of spiritual restoration. A deep desire to walk out the servanthood of Jesus. A heart more like my Saviors.
What’s in it for them? Eternity.