Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
James 2:17
Whom are you serving when you serve others? Yesterday, I ran through my day in a rush and got a lot done. I ran fast, focused on my tasks for the day, and finished well. Today, I walked through my day without rushing and saw the same people but noticed them differently. I put aside my agenda for the day and served them. While I did not complete my work for the day, I fulfilled the Father’s.
“He who waters will himself be watered.” (Proverbs 11:25) The Royal Law states that we are to love our neighbors as we ourselves would want to be loved. Imagine the Spirit of Christ hiding within each vessel you see. Christ is in those you run into throughout your day, at the office, in the grocery store line, in some you talk to, and some you ignore. As you see one in need, help them, and serve them as you would the Lord, you are fulfilling the Royal Law and even one higher... the Platinum Law, which says to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. (Luke 10:27) To the “giver” in you, He promises that the good you do for others, He will do back for you. To serve “Christ in them” is to serve Christ personally. As Jesus said, “as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. (Matthew 25:40 ESV)
Notice the need and make the ASK. Faith at work can include lending a hearing ear, listening with kind eyes, providing a word of encouragement, giving compassion when judgment is warranted, or simply checking in with someone and asking them if they need anything, as my friend Mark did every day when I was battling cancer.
“You can wish, you can hope, you can pray; but when you pray, your feet better be moving.”
African Proverb
REFLECT TO CONNECT
- Whom did you run into today where there was a spoken or unspoken need you became aware of?
- Can you remember a conversation by which you noticed no outward need but sensed an inward hurting in the person you spoke with?
- 3. To put others first is the Royal Law; how does one do this while “running their race” through their day and still be productive?
While faith is the evidence of a future hope that exists inwardly, the service you do to others is your faith in action outwardly.
