There's Got to be Rhythm: Serve Others

           Our church is a strong proponent of Community Groups, and actively encourages participation in them.  Often they are called Small Groups.  Our group is a group which was established specifically to reach the broken man and help him through his struggles to become a better man with specific emphasis on becoming a Christ follower.  It’s a dynamic group of men of all ages whose brokenness range from addictions (you name it, it’s there), to sexual orientation issues, to Christian men who struggle daily with their faith as they walk the walk of life, to seekers looking to fill that dark hole within them.

There’s a common thread which runs throughout the group.  All of the men realize that staying within one’s self is the worst possible thing they can do.  Transparency and accountability are recognized (and practiced as a group) as the best “cure” for not staying within one’s self.  All of the men grasp the fact that our minds are dangerous playgrounds where we have no business being alone.

Another common thread is that each individual could have it a lot worse.  Most need only to look at their pasts to verify that.  Most also recognize that because someone served, perhaps in some seemingly insignificant way, their life was changed.  In that vein, this year the group decided to serve others in some and therefore dedicated a minimum of one evening a month to serving at a homeless shelter.  This was not done as a “feel good, do good” effort, but indeed as a need to serve others less fortunate effort. 

When one gets into the Word, it doesn’t take long for one to realize that that was exactly what Jesus was all about—serving others.  If we are going to walk the walk, and just not talk the talk, it behooves us to serve others, and especially those less fortunate, out of love, making it a mission in our lives.  Serving others takes out way out of ourselves.  It opens our hearts to the real reason for being a Christ follower.

Bottom Line Thought:  Are you currently serving others?  If so, is it out of genuine compassion for others or is it a “feel good, do good” effort?  If you aren’t serving, why not?