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 31 - NAMMA

The first week of August, I had the chance to attend the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA) Conference. NAMMA is an ecumenical, Christian association of individuals and affiliated organizations involved in maritime ministry throughout North America, including the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. I had the privilege of attending the conference with our summer intern, Gabe. For both of us it was the first time we had the chance to be a part of the conference. I enjoyed getting to meet so many individuals who serve the Lord across the globe. Each of us serves at different ports and in unique ways. The exchange of ideas was both enjoyable and informative, especially for me as the new guy. Each of the people I met had a heart for the seafarer and the challenges they face. Their hearts poured out to show the love of Jesus to the men and women aboard the vessels that visit their respective ports.   One of the highlights of the trip was meeting one

Anchor House Week12: Constant

I've gotten almost a week behind on my reflections from Anchor House. It seems there just isn't enough time in the day.  The way these blogs come together is different from week to week.  Some weeks God puts a message clearly on my heart. Others it feels like a struggle to put "pen to paper".   This week was one of those that I knew exactly what I'd write about. However, each day passed and I missed the opportunity. You see, I write best in the mornings. Not sure if it's the limited distractions, a product of my habit of practicing my spiritual disciplines in the morning, or something else entirely. Most of my afternoon writing is intelligible and requires numerous edits.  In the AM, however, they seem to make more sense.   What's funny is that as I am writing, I am feeling God moving.  He's moving from what I thought I was to write about to what He wants me to share. These shifts and changes are a part of the shipping industry.  Things hap

King of the Jews

Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head. They clothed Him in a purple robe and went up to Him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped Him in the face. Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews gathered there, “Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against Him.” When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” But Pilate answered, “You take Him and crucify Him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against Him.” The Jewish leaders insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law He must die, because He claimed to be the Son of God.” When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus g