It’s not about you.
Have you ever wondered what does it take to serve? I mean meeting the needs of others. I am not saying serving because you are asked to do or because it is an obligation. But really serving, serve to meet the needs of others, without anything in return….. Have you ever thought of it?
I do think a lot about it… Why do some people do what they do, especially those working in a caring ministry. Caring for people is definitely not easy, and I’m not talking about nurses, though I respect them a lot. I’m talking about a group of people who chose to care for the society’s rejects and outcast. What made them do what they do?
It’s not about you.
Working in a Christian NGO, it is not easy for me. And I’m not talking about the work. I’m talking about the things that was ‘’given up’’, the things the world could offer if I were to work for big time companies. The thought do play in my mind once in a while. Especially about the money I could be earning, the things I could buy, the holidays that I could go for, the investments and savings I could do, the word would be financial freedom. But is it true? Financial freedom?
Many times I did asked why I chose what I’m doing right now. To many, it seems foolish and silly, to give up your degree, work hard in another field and yet paid peanuts. But honestly, if you ask do I think it’s silly and foolish?.... I doubt…. God takes the foolish things of the world to bring down the wise. I must admit that it’s tough and not easy, but I also acknowledge that my life is in God’s hand, He knows my needs and challenges, and truly only by His grace I can sustain. I’ve seen Him seeing me through my ups and downs. It doesn’t mean it’s nice and rosy all the time, in realistic, when the down times comes, it hits really hard. That’s when your faith is tested.
Many times, especially during the down times, I did asked; what about me? Why should I care for others? Why should I dig into my pocket to feed other people’s stomach when I don’t have enough myself? Why should I offer my time to people when I have no time for myself? Why should I give when I can’t even buy what I want? I can go on and on asking about thing that satisfies my “needs” and wants. Why should I care for others?
Deep down inside I do wonder, do people ever care for others? In others, I don’t mean people you know, but of people the society misses out on. The dirty ol’ begger. The mother and child begging at street. The children in homes. The learning disabled adult wandering in street. The schizophrenic screaming and shouting at passerby. Sometimes I wish I don’t see what I see; I don’t know what I know. The needs just seem overwhelming and I feel helpless. Can’t I just be ignorant to it? Who cares?
Yes, you can care to give money to the begger for today. But for how long? How much can you give? Yes, you can care to visit the children in homes at special occasions. But for how long? How much can you commit to the love they need? Yes, you can care to offer some pity or maybe disgusted look at the learning disabled adult. But have you ever wondered what its like to be in their shoes? They did not choose to be born that way, God made them special. The people trapped in their own thoughts and thinking, I could only offer prayers. Many times, looking at the needs of these people… I stopped asking, “What about my needs?” I could only praise God and give thanks that I can do what I am today.
Jesus, who is my God, the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords, made Himself nothing, laid aside His mighty power and glory and took the humble position of a servant to serve the needs of the people. My Jesus served….. He cared for the poor and needy, healed many that were sick, blind, crippled, tormented, and touched those whom society shunned. My Jesus served, and people praised God for His serving.
It’s not about you.
Serving is not about you. Is not about how well you could serve others, meeting their needs, thinking that you really tried your best and wanting the person to be blessed by what you did. Serving is not about you.
I had the privilege of looking at the faces of people whose life has changed because of the Christian NGO’s service unto them. Their faces taught me something about serving. It’s not about me. It’s about the people whom I served…. and who they will be praising because I served them. Jesus. =)
