In the bustling streets of New York City, amidst the hurried pace of 5th Avenue in East Harlem, a simple request pierced through the everyday noise. Stepping out from a pizza shop, a man’s voice, confident yet pleading, broke the rhythm of my walk home from a day of volunteering: “Could you spare a dollar so I can buy a slice?”
The question hung in the air, momentarily freezing me in a crossroads of choices. A dollar was a small thing, easily given. It was less than the latte I often treated myself to, a negligible sacrifice if it could genuinely offer help. Yet, a wave of conflicting thoughts, fueled by countless online articles and social media debates, crashed over me. Was this simple act of giving truly helpful, or could it inadvertently perpetuate a cycle of dependency?
What unseen issues lay beneath this request? What were the roots of his situation? Was I simply enabling a system, a practiced plea heard by countless others that day? And how would that dollar truly be used?
Uncertainty clouded my judgment. Offering a polite smile, I continued my walk, dollar still in my pocket, the weight of unanswered questions heavier than the spare change.
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This moment of hesitation is a common thread in our choice-filled world. Paralyzed by the fear of making the wrong decision, of misjudging need, we often default to inaction. This fear, this paralysis, becomes a barrier, preventing us from Serving Other People altogether.
My years spent leading and participating in short-term mission trips, immersive experiences dedicated to intentionally serving other people, have revealed crucial steps to overcome this inertia and embrace authentic service, mirroring the selfless example of Jesus.
5 Essential Steps to Meaningfully Serving Other People
1. Embrace the Posture of a Servant
Truly serving other people begins with a conscious shift in perspective: adopting the role of a servant. While seemingly straightforward, overlooking this foundational step can inadvertently lead to ineffective or even harmful actions. The life of Jesus is a masterclass in servant leadership. From humbly washing the feet of his disciples to his very incarnation, choosing to live as a common human being, Christ consistently lowered himself, prioritizing others above himself, and identifying with the marginalized.
It’s easy to subconsciously cast ourselves as the “helpers,” the saviors in the situations we encounter when serving other people. However, to genuinely emulate Jesus’ model of service, we must internalize the profound truth that, in God’s eyes, everyone we encounter is inherently equal in worth and importance to ourselves. This fundamental shift in perspective compels us to set aside our own agendas and elevate the dignity and value of each individual we aim to serve. Adopting this servant’s posture naturally guides us towards actions that dignify those we serve, aligning us more closely with the selfless example of Jesus.
2. Prioritize Listening and Understanding
Our inclination is often to assume we know what’s best when serving other people, leading us to offer solutions based on our own perceptions. However, authentic service necessitates taking the time to truly understand the individuals we seek to help. Honoring them with a listening ear is paramount. Skipping this crucial step risks turning service into a self-serving act, focused more on the personal gratification of “helping” than on genuinely meeting the needs of another.
We firmly believe that the simple act of listening is itself a powerful form of service.
Consider volunteering to paint a house, build a wheelchair ramp, or repair hurricane damage. If we rush into action without pausing to connect with the homeowner, to truly see them, learn their name, and hear their story, what lasting impact are we truly making? There is immense power in intentional relationship building when serving other people. Experience has taught me that while practical projects are valuable, sometimes the most profound service is found in simply sitting down with someone, sharing a cup of coffee, and listening deeply to their life story.
3. Care Deeply, Even When It’s Inconvenient
When we genuinely listen to others as we are serving other people, the depth and complexity of their needs may surprise us. A simple offer like, “Let me know how I can help,” can open the door to a range of needs far beyond our initial assumptions or pre-conceived notions of service. These needs may extend beyond our comfort zone, demanding that we relinquish our own agendas and engage in service that stretches us beyond our perceived “giftedness” or areas of expertise.
True caring in serving other people often transcends grand gestures. It might mean deviating from a carefully planned schedule to accommodate an unexpected need. It could involve a return trip to the store to find the precise shade of paint that holds significance for a homeowner. It might entail donning rubber gloves to tackle moldy cupboards, or perhaps setting aside the task at hand to simply share a cup of coffee and offer companionship. Caring might mean offering a dollar for a slice of pizza, or it might mean pausing everything to share that slice of pizza right there on a New York City sidewalk, fostering a moment of human connection.
4. Acknowledge Your Role as Part of a Larger Solution
When we truly listen to the stories of others in the context of serving other people, we often encounter the full weight of their brokenness and challenges. This can be deeply discouraging, triggering a natural human response to either attempt to fix everything single-handedly or to withdraw from situations that feel overwhelming. However, when we approach serving other people through the lens of Christ’s selfless service to us, we can find solace in the understanding that we are rarely meant to be the complete solution. We are often one small piece within a much grander, divinely orchestrated plan, and that realization is liberating.
To effectively serve other people, we must cultivate faith that our actions are ultimately part of a service directed towards something larger than ourselves.
God is the ultimate agent of transformative change in people’s lives and circumstances. Our role is to offer love and support where people are at in their journey. This understanding, however, should not become an excuse for inaction, for waiting for someone else to step in. Instead, recognizing that we are not the sole solution should free us to share our time, attention, and resources without the paralyzing weight of feeling we must fix everything.
The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) powerfully illustrates this principle in serving other people. The Samaritan could have easily rationalized inaction, viewing the wounded man’s problems as too complex or overwhelming. He was traveling, likely on a schedule, with his own concerns vying for his attention. Yet, he chose to act within his capacity, providing immediate aid and securing ongoing care. The Samaritan didn’t resolve the broader societal issues of conflict or crime, but he addressed the immediate need before him, simply because he recognized the shared humanity between himself and the injured man in God’s eyes. His example of going the extra mile, even when inconvenient, remains a timeless guide for serving other people.
5. Embrace Reciprocity: Allow Yourself to Be Served
At Experience Mission (EM), our specific approach to missions emphasizes reciprocal relationships, recognizing that we too are profoundly impacted and changed by the individuals we aim to serve other people. This fosters mutual respect and creates pathways for transformative change in all involved. Similarly, in everyday life, allowing yourself to be served – accepting a meal, a cup of coffee, or an offer of prayer – is often an incredibly meaningful way to serve in return. It levels the playing field, dismantling power dynamics and communicating the inherent worth and value of the person offering service.
Even Jesus, the ultimate Savior, accepted service from others when offered with the right heart. While he gently redirected Martha when her service became driven by anxiety rather than love, he also defended the woman who lavishly poured expensive perfume on his feet. His defense wasn’t rooted in a sense of entitlement to such extravagant gifts, but rather in recognizing that this very act of service would deeply impact the woman’s life and create a lasting legacy.
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Reflecting on what it truly means to live a life dedicated to serving other people, I wish I had shared a slice of pizza with the man in Harlem that day. Not because I was his sole source of sustenance, but because I believe it embodies the spirit of Jesus’ example. The more we delve into the essence of serving other people well, the more we realize it’s about embracing interruptions, making space for others’ existence, and recognizing their inherent value and worthiness to both give and receive service, simply because God sees them that way.
When we grapple with the question of how to live a life of service, may we remember the powerful words of Jesus:
“Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” – Matthew 10:39
Discover how to serve other people and embody the love of Jesus on a short-term mission trip or IMMERSION trip with Experience Mission!
