Hey Everybody,
This week I was reading the update from our friends and global partners, John and Eliana Reimer. They mentioned how severely the recent flooding in the southernmost state of Brazil had affected normal life there. He said, “Of the 497 cities in the state, 461 were affected by the floods, leaving 600,000 people homeless. With the water contaminated by bacteria and viruses, more than 120 people contracted leptospirosis. Floods in the state left more than 381,000 students without classes, with more than a thousand schools affected.” He went on to say how this great tragedy had provided the Word of Life Ministry there a great opportunity to show the love of Jesus to those impacted by the flooding.
It was a very encouraging update, but one of the things that stood out to me was how little I knew about the flooding in Brazil. I knew there was flooding, but I had no idea how substantial it was or how many people had been impacted by it. The news coverage in the US is almost always about the US and not much else. Even when other parts of the globe are covered, it’s still usually about the US. For example, when there is a story about the war in Ukraine, it very rarely is telling me what is happening in Ukraine, it’s usually a story about whether the US will continue to provide funding or munitions to assist them in their efforts. Because of this very “me” centered coverage, we sometimes lose perspective on what is happening around the globe.
This doesn’t just happen with news coverage though. It can be very easy to go through my days and view everything that happens around me through the lens of “how does this affect ME” rather than looking for needs and opportunities to serve others. When I live this way, life becomes about me and only me. Other people are only important as they relate to how what they are doing is impacting me.
As followers of Jesus we are called to so much more. One day Jesus saw a woman at a well and he met her in her place of need and engaged her in conversation and then pointed her towards the Kingdom of Heaven. The Disciples had gone into town to get something to eat and they missed this opportunity to serve and help someone else. When the disciples urged Him to eat something, Jesus told them that He was doing something more important than eating a meal, He was engaged in Kingdom work. Then Jesus said:
I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. John 4:35b
Look around!!! There is more to life than you! Keep your eyes open for opportunities to see and serve others who are in need.
We are in the “Year of Serving” at Believers, where we are looking for opportunities to serve at least one person each day. Part of serving well is serving those in need. And to serve someone who has a need, requires that we see them, that we look around. By the way, seeing a need isn’t always as obvious as pulling up to an intersection and seeing someone with a sign that says, “In need of food.” It MAY be that, but it’s more likely someone who is going through something tough in their life and their need is time with a compassionate friend over a cup of coffee. Or someone who is in a tough spot in their marriage, and what they really need is an invitation to Believers so they can hear about the healing hope of Jesus. Not every need is obvious, that’s why Jesus said, “wake up and look around!”
The Apostle Paul said something similar to the church at Philippi, when he said, “Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” Philippians 2:4
Don’t just look out for yourself…look around! As you look around pray and ask God to help you to see things the way he sees them. If you see a need, then pray and ask God to give you the boldness and wisdom to serve them in the best possible way. Know this, I’m praying for you this week.
See you THIS Sunday for the continuation of our series, “Holy, Holy, Holy.”
Blessings,
Pastor Jamey
PS Want to receive the monthly updates from our global partners in Brazil? Reply to this email and we will forward your email address to John and Eliana Reimer so they can add you to the list. They would be honored to have you praying with and for them throughout the year.
