Back in the M I A

It's great to be back from El Salvador.  As usual, I learned quite a bit.  Probably one of the most poignant thoughts I keep revisiting has been on my mind for some time, it just has never been so observable.

In some ways it almost seems fashionable to be a servant.  I read in a magazine two days ago about the "clunkers club"...a group that proudly exists to "live with less" and commits to driving rusty grocery getters.  (It's not a slam, I qualify and I love my truck).  It's getting trendy to find ways to serve others...don't get me wrong, I love it.  We need more Christians to be the hands and feet of Christ.   However, our trends shouldn't replace our motivation for serving Christ and others.

Many groups are starting and growing with intensity.  This generation has a proclivity to reach out to others and serve.

In short, it's great to do medical clinics, feed the homeless, help hurting children and live with less.  However, if it's done apart from the truth of Jesus Christ, it's in vain.  How can we offer hope without the Author of hope?  If our intent is to just meet a physical need and not give a "what's next", we have missed it.  Fulfilling a physical need is so temporary, spiritual needs are eternal.  It's great if we can put a roof over a kids' head in Africa, but if we neglect his soul, what have we accomplished?

I would have never sat in the blazing heat last week in El Salvador so someone's blood pressure could be lowered or their tooth could be pulled if there weren't something greater.   Offering the hope of eternity was the motivation behind the service.   Granted, we love with no strings attached.   People are loved and served regardless of their choices, but at least they are given the chance to know.

So here's my point.  Let's love others.  Let's serve others.  I'm saying let's see the individual behind the need as God sees them and desires to know them.  May our motivation always be for the  Kingdom.  ..."if anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ."  1 Peter 4:11