This week, one of our sisters here at “Singing Christ’s Hope” has written something beautiful for all of us to ponder. Here are words of Heather Hooks, sharing her perspective:
I have a radical idea – what if we interrupt our suffering by worshipping God?
And what if that worship came in the form of serving others?
Totally crazy, right?
Maybe not.
What did Jesus tell us was the second most important commandment? He said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39; Mark 12:31)
The Greek word Jesus used for love was “agapao” – it’s a verb, an action, meaning you DO something. You live out this love.
Let’s interrupt our suffering by focusing on others.
Literally, take our attention off our own challenges and struggles and focus on the needs of someone else. This is a godly way to persevere through suffering. This is also a way to worship God: love other people. Meet their needs. Be God’s hands and feet…even as we’re dealing with our own tests and trials.
Does serving others guarantee our pain will go away?
Unfortunately not.
Does putting the needs of others before our own needs exempt us from future suffering?
It doesn’t.
Then why should we do it?
Because God commanded us to, in Leviticus 19:18b, “…You shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.”
Because Jesus echoed this command during his earthly ministry (Matthew 22:39; Mark 12:31).
And because Jesus and other figures from the Bible lived this out. They modeled for us how to serve others during a time of suffering.
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Heather shares specific Biblical examples on her website, starting with Jesus Himself. Her words encourage me today!
To Heather’s words, I add this, as one who is so often physically ill and then riddled with guilty feelings when I want to serve and help others, but don’t have the physical capacity to care for others’ needs well.
How can I wash the hands and feet of others if my body isn’t working?
How can I keep going in moments when I’m physically weary from a season of continual caregiving for others?
How can we interrupt our suffering by serving others when it feels like we can hardly serve ourselves?
By His indwelling Spirit, we can walk in God’s perfectly prepared good works during our suffering, beloved.
Interrupt our suffering by praying for others
He once answered my desperate prayers about how to love and serve others…with the answer of “prayer!” At my sickest, this flip calendar prayer helped me:
Deliver me Lord, from the snare of self-pity
the lie that I’m no longer a value
Remind me that when I’m unable to work,
I can still be of use …
I can pray … I can praise … I can be.
Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in endless praise,
let them flow in endless praise.
(“Take My Life, and Let It Be,” Havergal, F. R., 1874)
I can pray for my brothers and sisters in Christ continually, serving the Lord:
keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints (Eph. 6:18 ESV);
asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding (Col. 1:9 ESV).
I can pray for those who do not know Jesus or who are hurting me:
love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Mt. 5:44 ESV).
I can pray for this suffering to be a time of new learning and sharing the gospel with others:
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect (I Pet. 3:15 ESV).
Beloved in Christ, let’s all serve, worship, and honor our Lord, by loving and serving others, in and through our suffering this week.
How can we best do so?
Let’s pray and ask God to help us, the One who has already prepared us for good works during this time of suffering.
Each week, I professionally curate YouTube playlist gifts to accompany these writings, to help you and me sing our prayers to the Lord. This week’s gospel-centered playlist gives us words to pray, specifically as we seek the Lord’s help and wisdom about His best ways to love and serve others, especially in today’s suffering. If praying through song would bless and help you, this playlist is for you. You can sign up here to receive it in your email:
