Serving Others

A Life Pattern of an Insider - From the Detroit Metro Faith@Work Team

"People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care."
Lifestyle Evangelism, Joe Aldrich, Multnomah Press, 1980

Second to the Great Commandment - to love God wholeheartedly, with our whole being - is to love our neighbor as ourselves. This love described in the Bible is a verb, not a noun. It’s action and attentiveness, on the alert and in motion, fueled by the heart - God’s heart in us, in you. This love looks for ways to be constructive, to help, to step into need. It is impossible on our own, but alive and real with the mind and heart of Jesus.

Serving others. Well, we’ve got to care enough. Be willing to go out of our way a bit. Take a chance on being misunderstood, maybe. You’ve seen it in action. Maybe been on the receiving end unexpectedly. It’s good and always appreciated. Too, it’s a bit rare. The story of the Good Samaritan comes to mind.

What does it look like at the office? Something as simple as picking up a dropped piece of paper. Or taking a minute or two to show an interest or empathy in what is happening in the life of another. Or asking if there is anything you can do to help what they are working on. Or holding the door open. Or picking up a cup of coffee from the cafeteria. Or taking them to lunch and picking up the tab. Or making sure the copier has paper. Or you fill in the blank. Little things…it’s always little things.

Yeah, we know. We’re alright serving, just don’t want to be treated like servants! Didn’t seem to stop Jesus. Don’t let it stop you. Try it, you’ll like it. And so will they.