Philippians 2:3 (NKJV)
3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Why do you volunteer your time to help others? What do you get out of it? Do you do it to call attention to yourself, to get it on your resume or are you there to share the blessings God has given you? James 1:27 says 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. Does it have to be limited to widows and orphans? Can’t we look after all those whom God loves? Isn’t that why we go? Is this about Religion? Some of us on the team did not hear about the trip through their Church so it may not be about religion at all. Then what is it about? There is something inside each human being that calls out to be connected to another human. God Himself said “it is not good for man to be alone.” We were created to be in community. And it doesn’t matter if the community is in your own town or 2000 miles away. Something calls us to reach out to another person. In this case, it is kids. They are the easiest for us to embrace. They come to us in appreciation without prejudice. They don’t care what kind of car you drive. They just love you in a simple manner. Perhaps it is because they came from God more recently and are closer to Him than we because of our cynicism. What if we could get back that childlike wonder and be like those kids again?
Luke 14 says “10 But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. 11 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” We are supposed to care for others and hold them in high esteem. We are to be humble. We are to consider other people’s feelings and needs above our own. Does that mean I don’t matter? Certainly not! You are God’s masterpiece. You are made in His image and likeness. You are blessed. Of course you matter. But we should not look only to our own interests. We should take care of others.
So what brought you to the place where you decided to help others? Is it that calling from within that makes us want to be part of the community of God’s people? Whatever the reason, when we approach others to “Help” we need to approach with humility. We know what we know and have what we have by the grace of God. It is all by God’s grace that we are able to help. With that in mind, we must make our friends feel important. It is not about us and how we are in the position of strength where we can help them. It should be because we care about them and want to be in community with them. We are all one in God’s eyes. How can you show the love of God to those you meet today?
Lord, Thank You for the gifts you have given us today and every day. Help us use those gifts to build the Kingdom by helping those You love. Help us to love them as You love. Teach us your ways O Lord that we might know You better. And help us to know those You love better. Make our work here prosper in earthly and heavenly ways today. In Your name we pray. Amen!