When Others Count on You!
Thinking of others, and doing something for others, should be an imperative in the experience of every child of God. The Lord Himself surrounds us with people and situations for which we may have the answer and the means of responding to them.
Doing good does not require lessons of preparation, nor the assignment of a church or some other institution, before its execution. The more spontaneously one responds to a need, the greater the effect will always be!
Because of prevailing conditions in the world at any time, any place, in any age, God counts on His servants’ personal initiative in responding to varied conflicts before us, just as He also expects swift, concrete motion in emergency tasks to be performed.
The Bible places a high premium on good works, not as the basis of one’s salvation but as the natural outcome of a person’s certainty of belonging to Christ, and gratitude for all He has done and continues to provide for the eternal benefit of His redeemed.
The apostle Paul, specifically, challenges all Christians to do good unto every person, particularly to those of the household of faith (Galatians 6:10). Thus, we need to measure situations and anticipate consequences with regard to what one may attempt to do for others. Human spontaneity needs to be wisdom-led and divinely prompted!
Thinking of others should lead one into refraining from certain actions, as well as in specifically providing the things beneficial to them. Sometimes doing nothing can even be the best choice, while in other occasions, offering little may be preferable than attempting too much. Hospital visits, for instance, should be of limited duration; they are not social calls but a mere ministry of presence at a time of weakness and needed rest.
It’s imperative that we honor the pride and privacy of others, never forcing our way into them, just because we are convinced we have the only remedy they need. Many people choose to maintain their personal independence, which would-be helpers should understand and respect. The emotional landscape in each individual varies tremendously, and what we may think to be adequate and right in one situation, may be just the opposite in others.
A sound approach entails encouraging people, in certain situations, to do what they can, to act on their own, to achieve what is within their reach, to make an effort they might think impossible, even in self-discovery; to tap into God’s unlimited resources!
It’s essential that, as helpers, we never offer false hope, nor make unrealistic promises. It’s not due to our much speaking that we shall be heard by persons in need of our assistance. Quite often, just being silently present to others, in their moments of sorrow, fear, and need, may be the ideal balsam they require to heal their wounds and proceed realistically into a new day, and a better way!
Remember, therefore, that when others count on you, they just prefer to know where they can find you, if they so choose. It is their need which must be met, not your own! Yet, whatever good we ever do unto others never leaves us untouched; it always comes back to us in far greater measure than what we’ve sown or shared!
