A Friend in Need…

Two men that are friends were standing on a busy street corner in New York City . One man said to the other, “You see that man over there?” The second man followed the pointing finger extended by the first man and saw another man, a stranger to them both, across the street, waiting for the light to change so he could cross. The second man replied “Yes, I see him.” The first man then said as he lowered his hand “I don't like him.” To which the second man said “You don't even know him. How can you not like him?” To which the first man replied “That's why I don't like him…because I don't know him.”

A profound statement indeed and I believe it to also be very thought provoking. It is easy to not like someone you don't know. It is just as easy to dismiss them and everything they hold as important because we do not know the man across the street in our own neighborhood. It becomes a bit of a challenge to not like someone however when you do know them.

Oh, you can become angry with them and have your disagreements, but generally in this situation, the thing that drew you to each other in the first place will draw the two back to each other again. Unless you let your pride get in the way.

As a Christian, we do have an obligation to get to know our neighbor. It's not always convenient. It's not always easy. It isn't even always comfortable. But it is expected. In Matthew 22:36-39, we read,

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: ”‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

I don't think Jesus had in mind a fondness from far off. I believe what He meant for us to do was to be involved with those around us, helping, serving, and doing so in humility and love. Did Jesus not step out of Heaven to become our neighbor and friend, to model this for us? As a child and then a young man in Nazareth , was he not also a neighbor to those around Him? How often I have wondered what it would have been like growing up in His neighborhood! For how else can you truly love someone as you would love yourself if you are not actively involved in their life? And how can you be actively involved in the lives of others if you do not from time to time serve them? The idea here is service. We are to serve others just as Jesus served. Sometimes that may mean rolling up our sleeves and getting dirty.

Twice in my life I have helped to put a new roof on two different friends' home. It was hard, back-breaking work. I was a younger man then also. I don't know if I could do that same kind of physical labor now. But I do know if I couldn't be on the roof, I could be on the ground picking up what was discarded from the original roof, or doing something else that would be of value to the team effort. The one thing I took away from both experiences was being a part of something that benefited someone else, helping them with something they could not do by themselves.

As a matter of fact, every time I have extended a hand to help someone else, I always feel better about myself. It may have been something as simple as taking a meal to a friend's home in their time of need. Or making a hospital visit to someone that is about to have surgery and taking the time at 6:00 am to pray with them, and then being there when they come out of recovery. The Lord has allowed me to serve others in so many ways, and in so doing expressing His love and concern for them, that I cannot begin to count the blessings I have received, simply because I made myself available for the Lord to use.

You may think, “But I haven't the time. I'm much to busy”. That is a convenient excuse. There are no limitations on how we can serve others whether it is the man across the street, or down the street, or in another town. We are never too old or too busy to serve others. God called Moses to serve Him, and in turn, the nation of Israel when he was 80 years old. The Lord also called Abraham to serve Him at the age of 75. You see, God calls, we answer, and then He equips us with whatever it is we need to be of service to Him and others.

I have a friend, Larry, who was crippled in a fall when he was serving as a missionary in Africa many years ago. Immediately after his accident, he was paralyzed from the waist down. But in time, and through God's grace, he has gained the use of his legs to the point that he can walk with the aid of 2 canes. He and his wife have been married for many years and have raised 3 wonderful children into adulthood.

Larry cannot get out and mow the yard, but he can stand at the kitchen sink and do the dishes! His wife and kids mow the yard, but Larry, in his own humble way, does what he can around the house to help out and serve his family. He teaches Sunday school, and he serves as a Deacon. In his vocation he councils others with disabilities on how to find work. Larry knows his limitations, but he also knows the Lord does not expect him to not serve others because the world would say he has physical limitations. God shows Larry what he can do and where he can serve. And Larry is a very happy man for what ever he is able to do.

I believe the ultimate service you can give to the Lord is to serve others. Why? Because it takes the focus off of ourselves and places it on someone else for a while. And when we step out of our comfort zone to get to know the man across the street, walk a mile in his shoes, help him carry his cross for a while, it really is hard to not like him anymore. Disagreements may come, but by maintaining a humble spirit, we can overcome such things.

So let me encourage you to not look at all the reasons why you cannot serve, but to find areas in which you can serve. You will find happiness in serving others and the Lord who serves us all will find joy in your service to others. Cook a meal, make a hospital visit, and pick up some items the next time you're at the store, or send an encouraging e-mail. Service starts with baby steps that will take you across the street or next door. In time, you will be amazed at just how much you will find yourself looking for opportunities to serve in both small and big ways. But it all begins with a single step.

Contact Bob at: bob.kemp@att.net