“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Acts 20:35
“How can I be a blessing to you today, dear girl?” was how Kim, our pastor’s wife, answered the phone Thursday morning. I was having a bit of a crisis, feeling uncertain and scared about my baby possibly needing to go to the ER. I was calling for advice. Not only did she give advice but also offered to help by watching my older kids.
She met me at the interstate exit so I wouldn’t have to backtrack after dropping them off. When we got out of our vehicles to get the kids situated in her van she embraced me in a warm hug. I thanked her and she replied “thank you for letting me be in your life!”
I learned she had spent the morning at the local food pantry. Now the remainder of her day would be filled watching, entertaining, feeding, and caring for my children, as well as praying for my baby and husband and me. She told me to call her when we got back and she would bring the kids home to us so we wouldn’t have to do any extra driving.
Kim’s simple willingness and eagerness to help refreshed me as I continued into a day that would be stressful and scary. She was eager and willing to give of herself- whatever it was she had to give, which, this day, was her time, energy, and kindness. Jesus calls us to lay down our lives so we can actually live. There are so many different ways we may be called to give of ourselves- time, energy, finances, skill, emotion, etc.
There was no reluctance in Kim’s giving. She was joyful in it and gave above and beyond what may have been expected. It made me think of how, in contrast, I’m often tempted to give the bare minimum in whatever way I’m being called to lay down my life. When I’m tired or stingy and want to try to “self-preserve” somehow. But there is no joy in that!
This isn’t about overextending, and I know, at least for me, it’s a delicate line. I have to be careful not to slip into legalism or works-based salvation, thinking the more I do the better I am. Generous laying down of our lives will produce joy, but it should also stem from a place of joy– joy in the Lord.
Joyful, generous service can be done without overextending when I realize God isn’t depending on me but rather inviting me into His good and pleasing and perfect will.
Instead of hoarding whatever God has blessed me with, I can recognize that it’s all from Him anyways and pray to steward it well. Instead of the bare minimum, I can look for ways to serve others. I can look for ways to be intentional with my kids. Invite a conversation or a story when I have a spare moment instead of getting on my phone. Say yes when they ask me to play. I can look for ways to help a friend or family member I know is having a hard or stressful time by praying with them, listening to them, and encouraging them or taking a meal. I can look for ways to give of myself to my husband- making time for him, encouraging him in faith, looking for ways to share in his interests, showing genuine admiration for him, speaking well of him to other people.
There is no joy in hoarding time, skill, resources, energy, intellect, empathy, etc. This is why Jesus called us to lay down life in order to find abundant life in Him.
“Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.“
Matthew 10:39
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
John 10:10
Jennifer Blacklock 
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