Serving Others

Serving others is another effective key for finding joy.  Again, slowing down becomes imperative here as well.

Princeton University set up a study in the early 70’s.  In this study, titled “From Jerusalem to Jericho,” seminary students were asked to prepare a sermon on the parable of the Good Samaritan.  Midway through their preparations, they were asked to finish those preparations in another building across campus where they would encounter a victim slumped in a doorway en route.  Students in the first variable were told that they were late and would need to hurry over to the next building. Students in the second variable group were simply told that those in the other building were ready and to head on over.  Students in the third variable group were told that those in the other building weren’t quite ready, but that if they had to wait, it wouldn’t be long. The results of the study found that those who were in a hurry were significantly less likely to help the victim.  Did those who were in a hurry even notice the victim slumped in the doorway?  Did they recognize the distress? What opportunities to help do we miss when we are rushing through our daily lives?

Jason Kidd, another basketball coach and a recent inductee in the basketball hall of fame said that slowing down was the best advice he’d ever received, even though it took him a while to listen.  He said, “Two and a half years into the league, I started to figure out what it meant. Passing lanes appeared out of nowhere. My options multiplied. The court opened up and the game slowed down. And I definitely stopped shooting as many forced shots.”  As he slowed down, he found more opportunities and played more effectively and efficiently.  As we slow down, our own options are multiplied and we see the amazing opportunities we have to serve others.

There are chances for work all around just now,

Opportunities right in our way.

Do not let them pass by, saying, “Sometime I’ll try,”

But go and do something today. (Have I Done Any Good?)

I think back to the Savior on his way to Jairus’s daughter:

… much people followed him, and thronged him.  And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,… When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment…. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up;…. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing…. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.  (Mark 5:25-34)

Christ was on his way to heal a dying girl, but this story happens in the middle.  It would have been easy for him to be rushing on his way and not have even given this woman another thought, after all, she was already healed!  But he stopped everything to minister and share his love and peace. She was his focus in that moment.

I have found that as I slow things down from within, no matter what crazy circumstances are going on around me, I not only see the opportunities for service around me, I am better equipped to love and minister to those in need.  I was surprised that even in the middle of finals, purchasing a home, and painting and fixing up our old home, I could ‘turn myself about in the press’ and spend some quiet time with those who needed me.  Instead of lamenting about all that needed to be done in a short period of time, I found a helpful thought: “I have the perfect amount of time.” This thought helped me feel at peace so I could focus on those that I was serving in the moment.  I would stop in to help a wonderful neighbor across the street who had just had her hip replaced, and she would tell me, “Oh, but you’re so busy.” However, I would tell her no, I wasn’t too busy to come see her and she was so appreciative of the help that I offered.  I wasn’t too busy; I had just the right amount of time to help her with her dog, or change the clothes in her basement laundry. If I’d not had that inner peace and joy, she might have felt like she was burdening me, and that she was one more task on a long to-do list. That’s not the way the Savior makes us feel as he loves us, and that’s not the way I want those I serve to feel as I love them.  I want them to be able to feel His love come through me.

What are ways that you can slow down, within the press, to more effectively minister to others?