figliving.com Sharing the Fruit of a Christ Centered Life!

5 Ways to Incorporate Christian Service into Our Busy Lives!

  

We all have a shortage of time.  There just isn't enough to go around.  Most folks are overworked, overscheduled, and frankly overwhelmed.  So how does a true disciple of Christ possibly find time to make Christian Service an integral part of their life?  Great Question!  Probably one of the finest, but most difficult questions one can ask.  Fine because asking the question demonstrates a desire to be more like Christ; difficult because to genuinely seek the answer forces us to look inside of ourselves to see what really makes us tick.  Most times we don’t like what we find, I know I don’t.  Isn’t that wonderful!  That is the miracle and essence of Christianity.  To see ourselves as we truly are, to see Christ as He is, and hold His hand as we bridge the gap together.  Bridging this gap basically means throwing part of our old self on the scrap heap and replacing it with something divine.  The fact is that all of our souls are cluttered with piles of debris that stand between us and the Savior.  Maybe some of that garbage keeps us from providing Christ like Service to others.  The following are five simple concepts, or ideas that may help us focus on the “fruit” that comes from serving others:    

 5 Ways to Make Christian Service Part of Our Daily Lives:

1.  See Christ in Those You Serve

Matthew Chapter 25:40 states, “And the king shall answer and say unto them, ‘Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.’  Maybe we should take this counsel literally.  Think of how powerful it would be to actually see the face of the Savior in those we serve; to shake His hand or give Him a hug.    

 

2.  Make it a Family Activity

Seek ways your family can serve others together.  This can be difficult, especially with young families but it is possible.  Here are a few ideas:

-young children:  have a family meeting explaining how there are many children who do not have toys to play with.  Pray together as a family and then ask the children if they would be willing to give some of their toys to other children less fortunate than themselves.  Then allow the children to choose any toys they are willing to part with.  Never impose or force anything.  If a child doesn’t want to give, that’s fine……no biggie.  But watch as their siblings encourage them to participate.  Watch as they struggle to decide whether to part with a favorite toy.  Watch as they smile after the decision is made; a smile that comes from inside out not the outside in. 

-pre-teens:   consider yard clean-ups or working at a food bank.  Anywhere they can burn energy and be productive at the same time.

-teenagers:  any situation where they can see that the work they are doing has an impact on the individual they serve.  This can have a profound impact on their lives as it puts their life situation in perspective and strengthens their testimony.       

 

3.  Remember a Time When You Were Served by Others

When you were broken down on the side of the road…..When you were down and out and needed food, clothing, money, a place to stay……When you sought the counsel of a busy friend who stopped what they were doing to take time with you…..When you were frustrated with life and the world and the smile of a stranger gave you hope.  At one time or another, we have all been the recipient of service.  Let’s take a minute to reflect on these periods of our life and let this inspire us to do the same for others. 

 

4.  Be Honest With Yourself        

What has kept us from serving more?  What barriers stand in our way?  Sometimes the obstacles are extrinsic, but many times they are our own internal thought patterns or prejudices.  Ask yourself the following self-searching questions:

-Do I truly see the value of serving others?

-Do I have negative feelings about serving the needy? 

-Do I feel that they can and should do for themselves?

-Do I rationalize why I can’t or don’t serve others as much as I think I should?

-Do I fear what other people think or fear being judged by others?

-Do I feel that it is the responsibility of someone else, like the government to meet this need in society?

 

5.  Take Control of Your Life

Who is in control of your life?  Who decides how you spend your time?  I have news for you:  if it ain't you, that’s a problem.  If you feel that Christian service should be a major part of your life and it’s not, I would suggest you change that!  This applies to anything that you value in life.  If you should spend more time communicating with your spouse, having family prayer or scripture study, or anything else that resonates with your soul, you should re-structure your life and put these first things first.  No one else can or will do this for you.  I’m here to tell you that it is possible!  Not because I have achieved it, but because I have seen it achieved by others. 

 

In my opinion there is no better way to become more like Christ than to emulate Him.  There is no better way to show our love for Him than to see Him in every person we come in contact with and to find ways to bless their lives.  We must build our lives around this principle of service.  We must make it a part of our family culture.  Every one of us has so much God given power to influence the lives of others in a positive way if we will only take advantage of it.  The great thing is that this does not necessarily mean we have to work in a homeless shelter every weekend.  The ways we can serve others are as diverse as the people we come in contact with.  We only need to have empathy toward others, seek guidance from the Holy Spirit, and fear nothing!