Skip to main content

Serve Your Way Out

Are you struggling? Does the world have you down?  Does it seem like it's just not going your way? 

Serve your way out of it.

Have you found yourself in a place where you feel far from God? Does it seem like your prayers aren’t being heard? Does it feel like you are alone?

Serve your way out of it.

Let's face it, life isn't easy. There are times when it seems nothing goes right.  There are times when we just don’t feel good. There are times when it seems like we receive blow after blow and just can’t catch our breath. 

Serve your way out of it.

In times like these it is super easy to hyperfocus on ourselves.  Our problems and our challenges take center stage. We lose the ability to see the big picture. All we can see is our situation and our feelings. 

When we get to these places I suggest we need a perspective shift. We need to shift the focus from us to others. We need to get back to basics.  Jesus tells us to Love God and Love others (Mark 12:30-31). When we are in the dumps, find a perspective shift through love. I understand this can seem impossible when you’re down and feel unloved. Our God is the God of the possible and unending love.

He sees us as great!  In fact Jesus says that the “greatest among us shall be your servant” (Matthew 23:11). Greatness is the opposite of the dark place we can find ourselves in during these tough times.  

Each week at Downtown Ministries we are blessed by homeless people who jump in and help to set up, breakdown, and hand out clothes. The same people I have come to serve realize the value of service.  In their despair and need they can feel the value God places on loving our neighbors.  The greatness in choosing to be a servant. 

So, when it seems bleak and hopeless.  Take charge. Step into God's truth. Serve your way out of it. 

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Matt


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Anchor House: Week 6 Buried Treasure

When I started at Anchor House I committed to write at least one blog per week. Writing is something I enjoy and a way I get to interact with God. I can recall wanting to write about Anchor House in the days before I started, but my knowledge was limited..  To be honest I felt like I knew three things before I joined Anchor House. First,  Anchor House was a mission at Port Manatee (the Seaport, not the jail) Second, I knew it was a mission that my church, Westside Christian Church, supported with our Show Love funds.  Third, I knew God was calling me to serve Him there. However, what happened at Anchor House day to day was something of a mystery to me.   After being here for a few weeks I have learned quite a bit. I know where to look to find out when ships are coming in or departing.  I have learned that I am just tall enough to hit my head where most seafarers don’t. I have learned that flexibility is the key to serving at a seaport. One of th...

Waiting

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalms 27:14 NIV Waiting is hard. When you are waiting to take part in an activity you enjoy or are waiting to hear very important news or are waiting for something to arrive, each minute you wait can feel like eternity. In this instant access age, I think it's even harder. We want it now and if we can't get it now we want updates.   If you've ever ordered from Amazon, you know they are experts in this. They send notifications to update you as to where your package is on the delivery route. Once your package arrives, they take a picture and send it to you. That way no matter where you are you get to enjoy knowing your waiting is nearly over.  To me there is no agony like the pain of waiting for a pizza delivery. You're hungry and looking forward to delicious pizza. Time seems to slow. Seconds tick away like minutes and minutes like hours. Many of the pizza chains have added their own update...

Bold Like Stephen

I've always admired people who aren't afraid to be bold in their convictions.  It is the kind of boldness that allows them to stand out in the crowd. There is just something different about how these people view and engage the world around them.  The movie “Hacksaw Ridge” portrays a man that exemplifies what I mean by bold.  He was drafted to serve in World War II but refused to bear arms because of religious reasons. Yet, he still managed to receive the Congressional Medal of honor. Without a weapon in his hand, he saved 75 men in the Battle of Okinawa. Despite his objection to violence, he still served his country. Despite his objection to war he found a way to love his neighbor. He was bold.  When I think of bold in the Bible, I think of Stephen. Acts 6:8 says, "Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people." Stephen faced opposition to his teachings. Those that opposed his teachings couldn't ...