Being a blessing.

1 Cor 12:25, 26 So that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 
 
I recently visited a friend who has been having a lot of medical problems. She recently lost her husband as well. While she has a lot of family support, her medical issues have her anxious and fearful. She is concerned about being able to take care of herself correctly but also fears being a 'burden'. She is reluctant to allow others 'help' her. 

When we spoke, I tried to ease her fears but also to help her to understand that rather than being a burden, she was offering others a chance to be a blessing and receive a blessing. The Lord tells us to be a light to the world. He encourages us to shine His light into a dark world. She is struggling to see a light in her world of fear and darkness.
 
When someone in need refuses to allow us to help them in any way, we can be losing our chance to be a blessing. When we are willing to serve others, we are doing the Lord's commandment to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. He also tells us to do all as unto the Lord, so when we serve and help others, we are doing it for the Lord.
 
The Lord Jesus came to us with a servant's heart. He came to show us how to serve others by being a perfect example of servant leadership. He set aside His deity to embrace the shame of the cross. We can follow that example by serving others but those in need must permit us to help them. 
​
If we are the ones in need, we must also be willing to set aside our pride and accept the help the Lord is sending to us. There is an arrogance in being too proud to accept help. We are turning our back on the Lord, telling Him we don't need Him. We are the body of Christ. We need all the parts to work together. Serving others and allowing others to serve us keeps the body healthy. 
 

---