“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me (Matthew 25:31-36).
ONE NIGHT WHEN Robert Louis Stevenson was young, his nanny called
him to bed. Oblivious to her summons, he stood staring at something outside his
nursery window. The nanny asked, "Robert, what are you looking at?"
He pointed to the lamplighter setting the streetlamps ablaze. "Look,
Nanny! That man is putting holes in the darkness!" When we serve others
like Jesus describes in the passage above, we illuminate our surroundings. By “putting
holes in the darkness” we also give the earth’s inhabitants a peek into the kingdom
God prepared for His people since the creation of the world.
Do you think Jesus calls us to serve others only because people
need our assistance? My experience has resulted in more than filling a need. He
calls us to help others because of what happens to us when we serve—humility
blossoms in our hearts and our character grows and matures. Even though deeds
like feeding the hungry could never buy our way into God’s presence, He
promises that our acts of kindness will not go unnoticed. Jesus will reward us.
How about finding a worthy cause to help every month or quarter? Jesus’
message reveals what a difference a simple gesture makes. When we shine our
light on those around us, the melodious words of Jesus, “Come, you who are
blessed by my Father” will brighten each day.
—Susan Browning Schulz
Serve others and watch God’s promises come alive
in your life.
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