John 21:15-16
After breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" "Yes, Master, you know I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." He then asked a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" "Yes, Master, you know I love you." Jesus said, "Shepherd my sheep."
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
If you are like most people, you have spent at least a few minutes thinking about the coming year… and what you will do with it. Many vow to get organized, lose weight and get in shape, take up a new hobby, or mark a few things off their “bucket list.” Probably very few of us vowed to do more to serve others in Jesus’ name… but this might be the most important resolution we could ever make.
It’s easy to get sidetracked… to become self-absorbed. After all, many of us have all we can handle just to keep our own heads above water… challenges like study, work, family, and paying the bills. Some of us have major health issues or physical challenges, while others struggle to meet the needs of family members and continue to keep their own lives in check. Let’s face it… most of us are already plenty busy!
But you notice that Jesus doesn’t ask us, “Do you have a minute?” He doesn’t say, “Can you pencil me in on the third week of the fourth month for an hour?” He says, “If you love me, feed my sheep.” In other words, if you love Jesus and truly want to be His disciple (and not just claim to be), you have to do whatever needs to be done. This means keeping your eyes and ears open and staying attuned to the needs of others. You can’t wait for someone to call you and say, “Jim needs a ride to class” – you have to notice that Jim is walking a lot and doesn’t appear to have transportation, then ask him, “Can I give you a ride?”
You have to start looking around and asking yourself, “Who have I not seen at church in a few weeks? Is everything okay?” and then call and ask. You have to send a note of encouragement, pick up the phone and check on someone who is sick – or the caregiver who is sitting with him/her, or drop off a casserole for someone you know is struggling to put food on the table. You have to offer to keep small children some afternoon so a frazzled mom can grocery shop – or take a nap – for a peaceful hour or two. You have to spend time with old people and reassure them that they are still important and not forgotten.
This may mean we have to give up watching a favorite TV show or surfing the web for an hour. We may have to step out of our comfort zone and speak to others, even though being an extrovert is not our nature. We may have to do something somewhat unpleasant – but necessary – to better the life of someone else, like carry out their garbage, help them clean up in the aftermath of a disaster, or sit and listen while they drone on about their ailments or troubles.
Whatever we are called to do in Jesus’ name, we must do. And we must do this without fanfare, complaint, the need for recognition, or even gratitude. We must do this because we love Jesus… and His sheep, who He has called us to feed.
As you make your New Year’s resolutions, consider putting Jesus at the top of the list. Ask Him to show you how and where to serve... and who to feed. Believe it or not, Jesus is calling on others to feed you in His name, as well. Resolve to give as good as you get… or better! Make serving others your number one resolution, and watch what happens in 2012!
©2011 Debbie Robus
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