By Tyler Cook
•
March 31, 2021
If you've ever been a part of an outreach, given your time volunteering, or blessed others through generosity, then you've more than likely experienced the joy that comes from serving others. Serving and loving those in need awakens something inside of us. That’s because you were actually created to serve! The scriptures are packed full of examples and encouragement to serve one another in love. Jesus, who lived as the ultimate sacrifice, came to serve – and He laid down his life as the ultimate act of love for a world that could not save itself. There is no greater privilege than to lay down our lives for others with generosity, care, and compassion! In Matthew 25:35-40, Jesus revealed to the disciples the very heart of the Father as it pertains to loving, serving, and giving ourselves to those in need: 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; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You as a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? And when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of Mine, you did it for Me.’ When Jesus unveiled this revelation to his disciples, it laid the blueprint for serving. Simply put, when we serve others, we are serving Jesus! Amazingly, even current research supports the idea of serving others. Studies have shown that serving, volunteering, and giving of ourselves to those in need can actually reduce stress levels, decrease depression, and help us find a greater sense of purpose. One analysis of data from the Longitudinal Study of Aging found that those who volunteer and serve others actually experienced a decrease in chronic pain and have even been shown to live longer than those who do not. There is life found in giving! Science offers further proof of the power of this Kingdom principle. So, what are you waiting for? Join us as we joyfully serve our community through outreach projects. Check our calendar here for upcoming opportunities. At Lake Erie Church, our heart is to Love God, Empower People, and Serve the World , and there is no better time than now!