Serving Your Neighbors is Where the Miracles Start

 

In his book, Pastor Dave Ferguson shares a simple acronym that describes for us a practical way to B.L.E.S.S. our neighbors.

B – Begin with prayer

L – Listen

E – Eat together

S – Serve

S – Share stories

Let's take a closer look at this idea of serving.

When Jesus is in the upper room with his disciples, he sets an example of service for us. He washes his disciples’ feet. He was the master. He was the teacher. You would think that it was the disciples who ought to wash Jesus’ feet. But there Jesus is stooping down to perform this modest but meaningful task.

After he finishes he says: “You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.” (John 13:13–15, ESV)

Jesus trades his crown for an apron. This was big. In an honor and shame culture what he did would never bring honor.

Jesus goes above and beyond. He does more than is expected. And he tells us to do just as he has done.

I think it is hard for us to appreciate the magnitude of this act. At this time people wore sandals, didn’t wear socks, and did not have toe nail clippers. My wife thinks my feet are gross because I have dry skin. Can you imagine the feet of the disciples!

In John 13:8, Peter flat out tells Jesus, “you shall never wash my feet!”

There are many ways we serve both inside your home and with your neighbors. 

We all have responsibilities in life. There are expectations placed upon us. But to truly serve in the spirit of Jesus is when we go beyond what is expected.

It can even be hard in our house. Somewhere years ago I became the official trash taker-outer. Stacey became the official laundry person.  I’ve watched family members walk past an overflowing trash can … and I would grumble about it as I gathered the trash and went out the door past a pile of laundry!

Why do we resist serving even the people we care about the most?

Serving like Jesus is so uncommon. It catches people’s attention when they see it because it is not a common experience.

Almost as powerful is when we serve alongside our neighbors. Maybe we work together to help a neighbor in need or clean up an adjoining park. Coming together during a shared crisis or helping someone else in need can be a catalyst for creating a strong friendship.

I will add that in today’s American culture, people don’t know how to receive help.

A neighbor of mine recently had her husband die. I can’t cook but I can do other things so I went down and tuned up her lawnmower and told her I would take care of her yard this year. I lined up three other neighbors to be part of the mowing rotation. We mowed it once and she called to say she had hired a company to do it. She just kept saying she “didn’t want to be a bother." That is an example of it being hard to accept the help.

Even ourselves, as believers, we sometimes need to learn the art of receiving.

A second thing about serving like Jesus served is that we serve without expecting something in return.

We don’t serve to be appreciated or to receive the praise of others. We serve simply to bless others with no strings attached. We serve to show others that they are important to us and loved by God.

How can you serve someone in an unexpected way today?

Finally, we see in Jesus example where and with the deaf and mute man, Jesus served in close proximity, he served personally, and he served powerfully. Let’s not forget that last part. Make prayer part of your service.

What do you need to put down in order to be able to serve? What is your crown? Is it your time? Is it your pride or your convenience? What would it look like to put down your crown and pick up your apron?

8 Blessings We Experience By Serving Others:

1. Serving allows us to discover and develop our spiritual gifts.

2. Serving allows us to experience miracles. (We get a front row seat).

3. Serving allows us to experience the joy and peace that comes from obedience.

4. Serving helps us to be more like Jesus. (Our focus goes off of us and onto others).

5. Serving surrounds us with other Christians who can help us follow Jesus. When we’re working side by side with other people, a bond inevitably forms.

6. Serving increases our faith and expands our comfort zones.

7. Serving allows us to experience God’s presence in new ways. Encouragement and healing go hand in hand.

8. Serving is good for your soul. Studies have shown that volunteering is so good for the mind and body that it can ease symptoms of stress and depression.

We make all sorts of rational explanations for not serving:

I don’t have time.

I don’t know what I would do.

I don’t have any special skills to contribute.

They don’t need me.

But the reality is the Lord doesn't call the equipped; He equips the called. God doesn’t just want to work through you, He wants to work in you and service is where it starts.

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Does this article make you interested in taking the Engaged Neighbor pledge? Five categories and 20 principles to guide you toward becoming an engaged neighbor. Sign the pledge online at http://engagedneighbor.com.

Contact the blog author, David L. Burton at dburton541@yahoo.com.