Christian service is sacrificial – it always costs something. Is God pressing you into service to help someone near you who is suffering? Don’t wait, jump into action!
Watching others suffer? Believe me, there are no innocent bystanders.
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and I don’t know who said this, but I once read that criminals who were to be crucified, they were forced to carry to the place of crucifixion their own cross beam, a piece of wood weighing up to fifty pounds. It’s what the Roman soldiers demanded of Jesus. But even though he started out shouldering his own cross, he was so weakened from the vicious flogging, that it was beyond his strength. And so, the soldiers pressed into service a passerby named Simon. And he was forced to carry Jesus’ cross. I can’t imagine what went through his mind. I mean, Simon was from out of town; he was just passing by, one of the looky-loos in the crowd, standing at a distance, watching. Nevertheless, the providence of God arranged that he should be made to carry the cross of Christ. And Simon could not have possibly known, nor appreciated what his help meant to our Savior. After Jesus had helped so many, many thousands of others – thousands of people hurting – here, finally, was a man to help him.
You know, I will often hear people who hurt, say, “I’m so tired; I just can’t do this; I cannot bear this anymore.” And my heart goes out to them. They’re like Jesus, needing someone to bear the burden. And in a way, they are asking, “Where is my Simon?” And I’m sure you know these people. They live down the street, or in your apartment building. They live in the condo next door or on your cul-de-sac. The college student in your dorm who wrestles with fibromyalgia, and she has trouble carrying her books to class. It’s the mother with two disabled children who feels overwhelmed. Or the young guy with cerebral palsy who sits off to himself at church. Who will help them? Most onlookers see themselves as just passersby. Most people are standing at a distance, they just watch.
So, maybe the providence of God is arranging for you. Maybe he is pressing you into service. Oh, sure, you see yourself as a Simon, a bystander who wouldn’t normally get involved, but come on, it’s your aunt who is recovering from a stroke, and she needs help. Come on, it’s your neighbor who just got out of the hospital, don’t you know, they need assistance. An acquaintance in your church, you heard, who was recently diagnosed with cancer and he needs a hand with housework. Boy, if you should you decide to help, your plans will be interrupted, make no mistake, and you may even feel slightly put-upon. But remember, it is God who is pressing you into his service. And besides, when has normal Christian service ever not been sacrificial? When has it ever not cost you something? It is the nature of every act of service you offer in the name of Christ – when you bear the burdens of another, just like Simon did that day on Mount Calvary; when you lift their needs on your shoulders, it’s uncomfortable, it’s heavy, it’s too much effort. You’ll look at that neighbor, or your aunt, or the acquaintance, or the college student and you’ll think, “What have I gotten myself into?” But Colossians 3:24 says that “it is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Oh, friend, there’s your focus. And it is never too much effort to serve the Lord. And I just bet Simon felt the same. And that’s a good lesson today.
Oh, hey, don’t forget, there’s still time to pick up your free copy of my pamphlet “No Longer Alone” at joniradio.org. No person who needs help should ever made to feel alone. So, serve Christ today by helping them. And maybe give them my booklet “No Longer Alone” at joniradio.org.
© Joni and Friends