“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27)

[Dear Reader, this is my fourth attempt at writing a devotional this week. It has taken this many tries, including a nudge from my editor, to get to being honest. I think you may identify.]

Helping people is not easy; it is not convenient. Done right, it is tiring.

Unless we are healthcare providers or have the gift of healing, the help we provide won’t restore physical health.

Our actions won’t be adequate to restore broken family relationships.

The lawn will have to be mowed again next week. The mysterious leak will likely remain a mystery.

After all, we are already snowed under by our own lives. It seems everyone wants something from us. On top of it all, we are told to eat better, rest better, exercise better, socialize better. Be Better, for pete’s sake. Oh, and be a good citizen by keeping up with the news, which is guaranteed to weigh anyone down.

Right?

Yes, right. But we’ve left out two important realities: the one/ones who need help, and Jesus.

If we’ve ever been in need ourselves, we know the difference having someone show up to help can make. We know the added blessing when that someone enjoys showing up. We know our emotions need as much attending to as our body, or our roof.

Then there’s Jesus. And it’s more than “What Would Jesus Do?” - although it is that. It is letting the stories of Jesus helping needy people touch, as well as inform, us. It is absorbing the truth that Jesus continues to be about helping others—now via the Holy Spirit in us, His children. It’s also about trusting Him to take our hand and lead us to the one/ones He has for us to help.

We also learn from Jesus that it could be a good idea to gather a group. Doing good with even one or two others with whom we can talk, plan, pray, work, laugh, and cry can keep us going.

As I look back on the people I have helped long-term—and I wish there were more—I am struck by how clearly I remember each of them. I don’t know how much difference I made in their lives, but they made a big difference in mine.

This is what I want to remember. It is too easy for me to get tangled up in thinking I should, must, ought to help people. I don’t think that’s how Jesus lived life, nor is it the way He wants us to live life. Faith isn’t something we do; it’s something we are (faith-full) that leads to something we do. 

Speaking of working with a group to help someone, Chatham Serves is coming up on Saturday, June 18.