Love in Action

Serving others is a concept I've always been aware of, but sometimes it can be hard to revert my eyes from myself in order to help meet other people's needs. I think it can be so easy to become consumed by what is happening in our lives (what we need to do, how we're going to fix a hard situation, make a big decision, etc.) that we forget that others around us may be going through the same hardship or something even more difficult.

As I was spending time with the Lord this past week, the word "serve" popped up in my mind. I sat there thinking, Lord, I'm done wallowing in my sadness and feeling stuck in situations I can't control. Help me use the present, the time I CAN control, to glorify You by serving others.

After that moment, I picked up my phone and started scrolling through old conversations I've had with people who I consider myself close with and people who I haven't caught up with in a while. A handful of names stood out to me, and as I started typing them a message of encouragement, I prayed over them.

Romans 12:9-13 says,

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality."

This passage of scripture has been such a good reminder for me. The words in each verse have resonated with me in ways that have been so encouraging, while helping me evaluate my intentions behind my actions: in the past, present, and how I can grow in the future.

Like I mentioned before, we live in a world that glorifies focusing on ourselves. Not to say that that is bad, but I think as Christians who want to walk steadfastly with the Lord and grow in our faith, a big aspect of that is to learn how to lovingly and genuinely serve others.

I have to admit, it's already been five weeks into my spring semester, and God has revealed many flaws within myself; specifically, how I'm prioritizing my time by serving others and putting others before myself. I realized that I allowed myself to become so closed off that I wasn't able to see and hear what other people were struggling with as well... I felt as if I was in a bubble: replaying all of my worries, my doubts, my pain like a broken record. And that's all I could hear. But it came to a point where God lifted the needle to stop the music in order for me to listen to the other melodies around me.

Since then, I have found so much joy making others feel loved and cared for. Whether it has been writing letters, calling people on the phone, or engaging in spontaneous yet intentional conversation in the hallway at school, God has been opening my eyes and reminding me of how important it is to lift others up.

With that, I challenge you to think of someone you haven't talked to in a while or someone you think may need some encouragement today and shoot them a quick text or serve them in a way they will appreciate!

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11