Preparation through serving others

Rev Dwight Fletcher

WHEN WE think of preparing for the endtimes, serving others may not readily come to mind. We tend to be self-focused in our approach, but this is contrary to biblical guidance. God’s Word admonishes us to “… use whatever gift you have received to serve others”.

The parable of the sheep and goats in Matthew 25 is about service. In it, the Lord judged the persons by how they served others. It was one of the criteria for their suitability. “‘Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in … .” Matthew 25:34-35 (NIV).

These persons wondered what the King was talking about but it was obvious that the King was looking at their actions. What we choose to do matters, and what we choose not to do also matters.

God calls us to serve each other. Each of us has at least one gift, and whatever gift/s we have is/are given for us to serve others, and we need to use them. Often, we can’t do so in our own strength but, in our willingness and availability to God, we can succeed in the strength that God provides. God is calling us to step up and just do it.

In the parable of the talents, God’s response to the man who buried his talent was to instruct them to “… take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has 10 bags … 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness …” Matthew 25:28 and 30 (NIV). Using our talents to serve is important to God. God loves us beyond our understanding but He’s also looking for us to love Him back, often through serving others.

During one of his expeditions to the Antarctic, Sir Ernest Shackleton left some of his men on Elephant Island. He did this with the intention of returning for them but he was delayed. By the time he could go back for them, the sea had frozen over and he had no access to the island. Three times he tried to reach them unsuccessfully because of the ice. On his fourth attempt, he broke through and found a narrow channel. Much to his surprise, he found the crewmen waiting for him, with their supplies packed and ready to board. On their way back to England, he asked them how they knew to be ready for him. They told him that they didn’t know when he would return, but they knew that at some point he would.

In anticipation of Shackleton’s return, every morning, the group’s leader rolled up his bag, packed his gear, and told the crew to do the same saying, “Get your things ready, boys. The boss may come today.”

We all need to plan for Christ’s return, it’s critical. The Bible speaks repeatedly about it. Many have and continue to speculate, but the truth is that, though we have the signs increasingly around us, we don’t know when Jesus will return. We should ensure that we’re always prepared to leave this life. As children of the living God who carry the light of Christ, we must be prepared and help others to be ready as well. Lay up treasures in heaven for, where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.