My niece, Maria, and I discussed Matthew 25 the other day and she said she didn’t think she was “serving” enough. She referenced the verses in Matthew 25 where Jesus told His disciples what God the Father and King would do when Jesus returns in all His glory.
Matthew 25:34-40 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are
blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you
since the creation of the world. 35 For
I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me
something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I
was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit
me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you
hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite
you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When
did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of
the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
As I talked to
Maria about this, I pointed out several ways she was serving, whether it was
through the food distribution at church or feeding pumped milk to her newborn
sister at home! She’s helping at home without being asked, while her sick
brother is in the NICU.
Pondering our
conversation later, I was reminded that she also “visited” and “preached” to
those in prison unintentionally. She recently wrote a letter of encouragement
to our former Pastor, and he was inspired by it for his next sermon and his
next prison visit!
Like Maria, maybe
you wonder if you are “doing” enough to serve God. However, if you and I are
truly soaking up God’s Word and letting it change our hearts and lives, then we
will naturally live it out in everyday acts of service. We won’t have to “try”
harder. It will be second nature. The Holy Spirit living in us will help us
stop and recognize the needs around us and prompt us in how best to help.
Alice
