Matthew 25:35-40 - "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”- Anne Frank

Sometimes, our lives can feel so busy and chaotic that we can forget or at least set aside the very great call we have. The one where we are led to love and serve our neighbors! I know this has happened to me. There are times where I get so worn out with the craziness of my own life that I can’t even think about how to be around or help others. Honestly, that is ok! We are allowed to take that time to love ourselves as well… but when we have rested and when the time has come (whether it’s totally comfortable or not) I hope that we can all grow. That we can grow in the ability to look beyond our own interests and make an effort to share Jesus’ love with others. 

If you find yourself in a time where you are ready to reach out to others, or you are looking for more inspiration for ways to serve your community, I pray that this blog post would act as both inspiration and help. Sometimes all it takes is an idea, a spark, to start something that becomes a life-long passion! Who knows but that this will be the beginning of a beautiful journey. Are you ready? 

START WHERE YOU ARE

“Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you.” – Mother Teresa

If you were a Christian teenager in the 90s or 00s, then maybe you are like me. Maybe when you were a teenager, you had this dream or idea that God really only wanted giant sacrifices. So if you did decide to pray and ask Him what he wanted of you… well. Then obviously, He was going to send you to the spot that sounded the least appetizing. For me, it always dragged up ideas of rather boring events taking place in a cold and miserable location. Something that seemed soul-sucking, but also in a way worthwhile.

I am grateful that now I can laugh at that part of myself! For, of course, that is not at all how calling or passion works. God rather than asking us to sacrifice all the things we dream of and love. He asks us to fully embrace those things! You do not need to sacrifice everything about yourself in order to serve and love your neighbors. Rather you can look at your personality, dreams, passions and location to find clues for what He has called you to do. 

The very first clue about how to serve your neighbors is to LOOK AROUND YOU. God has placed you exactly where you are for a reason. How can you serve the people closest to you? Here are some things to keep in mind.

• First, look at your family. Your family is not a hindrance to your calling, rather it is a part of your calling. How can you love and serve them?
• Next, look at the people closest to you. This might be your coworkers, friends, church, neighbors, or even the people you see when you run errands or go about your life.
• Lastly, pray about it. God may be bringing people into your path that you don’t think need your love or help. So stay open and receptive to how He may be calling you! 

GO BEYOND YOUR COMFORT LEVEL

“Without service, we would not have a strong quality of life. It’s important to the person who serves as well as the recipient. It’s the way in which we ourselves grow and develop.” – Dorothy Height

I am beyond lucky that I have been able to work at my church for about 10 years. Within that time, I have discovered something. People are not always aware of the resources or opportunities that organizations are providing for them! What does that mean? 

Essentially, there are so many churches and missions organizations in every town that are working to help and serve. They would love to have your help! So how do you find those opportunities?

• Check your church. Most churches have ways that their congregation can serve each other and provide in unique ways! You might be able to teach kids about Jesus through Sunday School or VBS, or maybe you can participate in a food drive. Check it out!
• Look up local organizations. Many cities have food banks, homeless shelters, or any other number of companies that work together to serve the community. Look at their sites for all kinds of opportunities and ways to serve your community!
• Ask your library. It’s amazing what the library knows! They have so many resources and are connected to so many programs. Ask what opportunities are in your area and I’m sure they will have resources for you!
• Start something yourself. Do you see a need in your community? Do you have an idea for how to help? Awesome!!! That could be a sign that God is equipping you to step up in new ways. It might be time to research and learn how to create something new. 

DON’T OVERCOMPLICATE IT

“Give your hands to serve, and your hearts to love.” – Mother Teresa

In reality, most of the time, we will overstress and over complicate the process of loving and serving our community. We worry that we aren’t doing enough, that we will do it wrong, or that things might get messy. It’s true! All of those things could happen. But… what if? What if you did something that helped someone. What if you built connections. What if you stepped out in faith. 

Keep things simple! Here are just a few ideas of simple ways to love, serve and bless your community. 

• Bake something delicious and deliver it to your neighbors with a little card. It could just say you are grateful for them or are thinking about them. 
• Invite your friends over for dinner. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just delicious food and time together. 
• Make or buy a small gift for a friend or family member that you know is having a hard time and give it to them just because.
• Offer to make a meal for a friend or neighbor that you know is really busy. 
• Take a coffee or tea to your coworker who has a lot on their plate.
• Set up some friend time! Keep it lowkey. Invite everyone to bring some snacks. As you get time together, enjoy good conversation and build that relationship. 
• Brainstorm and get creative over ways you would actually enjoy serving and blessing your community. 

My prayer and hope for you is that you will be able to find ways to bless the people around you with things that match who you are, your passions, and your joys. I believe that God has placed you with all your unique personality and ideas exactly where you are. There is a reason for that! Thank you for being here, friends!

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Romans 12:10 - "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."

1 Peter 4:10-11 - "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord."

Mark 10:45 - "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”