Joy in Serving

 

Joy in Serving

     Last week Marilyn, my wife, and I volunteered to pack food for an organization called Feed the Hunger. Feed the Hunger is an amazing organization. They send food, hygiene supplies, school supplies, and Bibles to children around the world. These packing events give us a chance to do something for people we will probably never meet this side of heaven.

     As we were getting ready to leave for the event, I started thinking how much of a blessing this was for us, but then it went to the next level. I began thinking of Matthew 26:31 – 46. This section called “The Sheep and the Goats.” In this section Jesus is talking about the end times. It mentions how the people will be divided into two groups. He told those on his right they were to receive their inheritance. When he was hungry and thirsty they fed Him and gave him drink. When He was a stranger, they invited Him in. He was sick and they looked after Him. When He was in prison they visited Him. They asked when did we do this? Then in Matthew 25:40 Jesus responds, “Truly I tell you, whatever you do for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

     Ok, when you read this section it can be a little scary. You want to be with the sheep on the right side, because those who did not do the things mentioned above were sent to eternal punishment.

     This time though, I was looking at the JOY in this section. As we were getting ready to go to this packing event that would send food to children around the world, I realized that as we were feeding them, which is a joy in itself, it was as if we were feeding Jesus. Think of it this way. If Jesus knocked on your front door and you answered it, how would you respond. If he asked me for a drink of water, I would look for my best glass and feel it with water with some ice in it. I would then offer him food. I would do these things, because it would be such a joy and honor to serve our Lord, our Savior.

     That is the lesson here. Every time we have an opportunity to serve and help someone else, it is as though that person was Jesus. Serving Jesus would never be a burden. It would be the greatest honor possible. That is how we need to see everyone we have an opportunity to serve. It is a blessing enough to help someone. You become their hero for the moment, but to serve the Lord compounds that joy.  What a blessing that is.

 

Have a blessed day and a blessed Christmas season.

Ray

Layman Ray