When Serving Turns to Witness

I  love to hike. It is a wonderful way to spend time alone with God, so whether I am at home or traveling, I try to find time to walk around or find a hiking trail. While visiting New Zealand for Organic Outreach ministry and a little time of refreshment, I found a nice hiking trail on Mount Maunganui in the quaint town of Tauranga. Late one afternoon, I went for a hike up the mount, and by the time I headed back, it was getting dark. As I was walking to our rental unit, I watched a lighted cruise ship making its way out of the port of Tauranga into the ocean. As the ship passed, I looked to my right, and to my surprise, I saw two elderly women lying on the ground at the bottom of a hill.

I ran to help them. They told me they had decided to watch the cruise ship, and one of them had fallen on the uneven ground. In an effort to help her friend, the other woman also fell. Once I helped them both up, I let them know I wanted to walk them back to their car. They told me they were fine and wanted to stay to watch the ship. For about fifteen minutes, I stood between these two sweet women, propping them up as we watched the ship sail away.

During our short time together, a friendship began. In our conversation, they shared their ages, eighty-four and eighty-seven. They appreciated the time I gave them and the care I provided, and I found myself encouraged to see these sweet ladies still having a fun adventure together. I took them to their car, and as I was helping the eighty-seven-year-old get in first, I felt the Holy Spirit nudge me to ask if I could pray for her. From our short conversation, I sensed that faith in God was not a part of her story. There was a pause, which confirmed my assessment. Then she sweetly agreed to let me care for her in this way. I prayed for her physical needs but also that she would know how much God loved her. I asked God to help her see that my finding them on the ground was a sign of his presence and care.

When I went to the other side of the car to help the other lady in, she gave me a hug and whispered in my ear, “Thank you so much for that prayer. I am a Christian too.” As I was helping her into the car, she said, “You know, they always tell us at the home that if one of us falls, we should get help and not try to pick our friend up, lest we both fall.” She smiled and said, “Thanks so much!”

I have found that one simple step in developing a heart and lifestyle of humble service is paying attention. When we keep our eyes open and listen for the Spirit, we’ll find endless opportunities to serve in the name of Jesus. Humble service demands that we decrease our pace and increase our attentiveness. God provides daily opportunities for us to stop, care, help, and bless people through small and large acts of service. If we move too quickly, we will speed past divinely appointed service opportunities.  Consider praying this prayer today: “Jesus, my servant Savior, you died for me. You served humbly to the point of giving your life as you took my sin and shame. I am yours today. All of me. I will do whatever you call me to do. I will go wherever you want me to go. I will love whoever you want me to love. Give me eyes to see, ears to hear, a heart to respond when you give me an opportunity to serve in your Name today.”