This applies to any and all serving, not just that done in Jesus' name. Funny things happen when you open yourself to 'the other,' or provide for a stranger, for when you respond to a human need you begin to stand with this one who is in need. You begin to erase the distance between yourself and him. You begin to see yourself as a part of a much larger human race.
Of course, we have to fight through our own self-satisfaction and pride to reap these benefits and not everyone works hard at cracking their own shell of self protection. For many of us, our first real experience of serving results in us feeling a whole lot better about ourselves. It takes a while for us to get to the place where serving humbles us and opens our compassion for others.
Jesus is a model for this kind of serving. He told his disciples, "I came not to be served but to serve." God's love for us in Jesus began when Jesus stepped into this messy world, eliminating the distance between the divine and the mortal and standing shoulder to shoulder with us. This God who knows us at our worst and loves us into new life has come to us to serve....and in so doing, reveals the path to truly loving others. We need to eliminate the distance between us and them, getting close enough to see our similarities and the opportunities for bringing light into their lives.
I would think by now it is fairly easy to see how serving others helps to bring folks to faith in this one who loves and who gives. When we give, we model Jesus' powerful giving to us. Whenever our faith begins to falter, serving others brings it all back into focus again and we are strengthened for tomorrow.
Aren't sure about 'believing'? Come and help out at Samaritan Center. Come and work at 10 Tons of Love. Come and lead worship at a nursing home. You will find Jesus waiting for you....and you will find yourself as well.
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