What causes you to help other people?

What are the things that drive you to lift others up?

What would you love to do for someone else?

Have you ever taken the time to define how you want to help others? Or let me ask you this:  If your life was lived only for others what would you do?

It is easy to think about the things WE desire and the areas where WE need help, but what about others? Zig Ziglar says, “You can get everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” You see, when you help others have a great life, you too will have a great life.  When we take our eyes off of ourselves we can truly see the needs of others around us, and then meet those needs. But we will never see the needs of others if all we think about are our needs.

It is ok to have needs, we all do.  But we can’t let our needs overshadow the needs of others.  And the great thing is, when we meet the needs of others, others will meet our needs.  What you make happen for others, God will make happen for you.  When you begin to live by the Golden Rule that Jesus taught…”Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” life comes into focus.  Imagine living one full day doing unto others what you would want done to you.  Imagine treating others with value, respect, honor, attention, encouragement, time, etc… Sometimes we are so consumed with our “issues” and “business” that we might as well walk around with blinders on that cover everyone and everything around us.  We might as well put a picture of us on the back of our sun glasses so all we see is our image.

Jesus didn’t walk around with blinders.  His focus wasn’t on Himself.  He walked with intentional purpose to meet the needs of others.  He was about lifting the down and out, healing the sick, loving the unloved, touching the untouchable, looking into the eyes of others with attention and care.

On the flip side, many of us can get so focused on trying to “help” others that we can lose sight of the heart of the people we are “helping”.  We can get so caught up in the process and programs of “helping” that we can miss the simplicity of just loving others.  Christians can get caught in the routine of “trying to be friendly”, and all genuineness flies out the window.  We must live a life of truly loving others the way Christ loves others.  He didn’t ignore others while putting on a fake smile and unwillingly serving.  He didn’t mumble under His breath with frustration and anger while He was serving.  He wasn’t too busy to take the time to talk with others, heal the sick, and give wisdom.  He knew His calling….to serve others…. and nothing came before that.  His calling wasn’t a routine, it was a real life relationship.

Imagine coming to a church where everyone was so excited you were there.  Imagine walking into a small group and people taking the time to know you, not talk just about themselves.  Imagine a friend calling you up to simply say they were praying for you and wanted to check in on your day to encourage you.  Imagine a co-worker picking up some of your work load because they care about your well-being.  Imagine a spouse that went out of there way to speak your love language (even when it is not their own and they may not understand it).  Imagine a stranger paying for your groceries at the check-out line in front of you.  Imagine people around you building you up when you step out in a new task.  Imagine getting a card in the mail from a friend with a coupon for free child-care and date night for you and your spouse.  Imagine coming home to see your grass mowed by a neighbor.  Imagine someone taking the time to make a list of all the traits they love and admire about you.  Imagine your spouse surprising you with a special date or getaway.  Imagine a friend bringing you and your family a full-course meal for dinner.  Just imagine some things you would love to happen to you.  

It would feel amazing for these things to happen to us, right?

So why not be THE ONE to DO IT for someone else? Why think it would be great for these things to happen to us and stop there? STEP OUT AND MAKE THINGS HAPPEN FOR OTHERS.

What are you waiting for? When you meet the needs of others, your needs will be met too.