Ready To Help!

If you have shopped at a Wal-mart® store you have probably noticed the employees wearing either a blue or red vest with large print on the back reading: “How May I Help You?” The bright color of the vests serves to produce high visibility of the store employees so that when help is needed they can be found.

Though we don’t go through life wearing such vests (however, it might not be a bad idea), we do need to be mindful of what it is our life says. Do our actions reveal a WILLINGESS to help? Is our life marked by an EAGERNESS to respond when others need assistance? Perhaps there are three statements that should be on our hearts, ready to be spoken depending on what might be needed at the moment. [I had been pondering the first two and shared them recently during a Sunday evening Bible discussion. The third was suggested by one of the women of our congregation.]

1. “I can help you with that.”
2. “I know someone who can help you with that.”
3. “I don’t know. Let’s see if we can find someone to help you with that.”

Each of these three conveys a WILLINGNESS to make certain the other receives whatever help might be needed. Even when we cannot provide it ourselves, rather than saying “sorry” and moving on, we can convey genuine loving interest by our WILLINGNESS to help connect them with someone who can.

Peter exhorted…
“(10) As EACH HAS RECEIVED A GIFT, USE IT TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: (11) whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who SERVES BY THE STRENGTH THAT GOD SUPPLIES -- in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” ( 1 Peter 4:10-11 ESV)

And Paul urged…
“(13) For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but THROUGH LOVE SERVE ONE ANOTHER.” ( Galatians 5:13 ESV)

Are we EAGERLY WILLING TO SERVE others. Paul noted Timothy as an example of one who had “genuine concern” ( Philippians 2:20) for the welfare of those at Philippi. Possessing a heart that is genuinely touched by the needs of others is part of the essence of being Christ-like. Let us live so that such becomes the “trademark” of our life!

Incidentally, as I tried to remember the exact wording on the back of the Wal-mart® vests, I called one of their stores to make sure I had it right. The employee had to go look for one because she said they were doing away with the vests, changing to some different attire. Let us never do away with our WILLINGNESS TO SERVE others. May it be a part of our daily attire.

Have a great day TAKING A VESTED INTEREST IN OTHERS!
Carl

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