Where is your heart leading you to serve? I’ve been pondering this question all week as I watch the news and see how broken our communities and families are. Am I doing enough to help, or can I do more? Where is my heart leading me? Our hearts will lead us if we listen.
How do you listen to your heart? For me, it’s grabbing a notebook and pencil and being still. I take inventory: what skills do I have that could help someone? Where do I want to serve? Soup kitchen, volunteering at a school, visiting the elderly?
Because our world is hurting, I want to serve everywhere to make it better. I know that isn’t feasible, nor would it be helpful. Serving in one or two areas and doing it really well will have a far greater impact. We all know that one person can’t do everything, but if each one of us did something, the ripple effect would be unstoppable and make a real difference. We can start in our own communities.
For me, I love serving women who may be struggling in one way or another. I know that’s where God has called me. Now, I’m asking if there are other areas in which I can serve them better.
I think service starts with an open heart—listening and being willing. When we serve others we are saying, “You’re important.” Don’t all of us want to be loved and feel important?
Jesus was our greatest example of how to serve others. The scripture I’ve chosen as a guiding light for Eva Marie Workshops is “Encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thessasalionans 5:11). When we serve others, we encourage and build them up. We give them hope. Hope—isn’t that what all of us want and need?
Is there a cost to serving? Yes, it costs us time, energy and resources, but the rewards are great. We receive payment in smiles, thank you’s, and seeing people change and grow. We also change and grow from the experience.
What are your thoughts on serving? Where does your heart lead you to help others?
