For nearly a decade I’ve served in some capacity with a homeless service. Throughout those years I’ve gained a different perspective on what helping someone is really about. It’s easy to think if someone gives someone something they need that they have “helped” them. While that may be true in some sense, what it lacks is awareness. Not awareness of the service you’re providing, but awareness to those being helped how to avoid going back to the same spot again.
In the midst of some of Solomon’s counsel, he gives a proverb that illustrates what needs to be present to be of lasting value when it comes to helping people. He says in Proverbs 19:16-21, “He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is careless of conduct will die. One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his good deed. Discipline your son while there is hope, and do not desire his death. A man of great anger will bear the penalty, for if you rescue him, you will only have to do it again. Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days. Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the counsel of the Lord will stand.”
So the awareness comes in opening the eyes of those that are lost. Those that are afraid. Those who are plagued with difficulties in life. Once their eyes are opened they both see their struggles for what they really are, and they can see more easily how to avoid the paths that continually lead to more pain and frustrations.
How would you value the awareness you bring to other people’s lives? Do they understand their purpose better since you’ve been in their life? Have you aided people in gaining an understanding of how, and the benefit of, self-control? The list could go on.
As a minister this goes through my mind often. The word minister ultimately means to attend to the needs of someone. It’s not really about a position of power, but of service.
Much like what Jesus said to the apostles after He washed their feet. In John 13:12-16, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.” Jesus was ministering to the apostles, but for a purpose. His purpose was to enlighten them, and to bring awareness to the opportunities for Kingdom work that is opened up through the acts of service. If I have one wish for those I have the privilege of ministering to, it’s that they would see how fulfilling and productive our lives can be when we serve for the purpose of bringing awareness to God’s plans.
“Give a man a fish, you help him for a day. Teach him to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.” In essence this is at the heart of the kind of helping that brings awareness. That’s what I hear in these words of Solomon: help with needs, with behaviors, with emotions, and direction, but with the purpose of enlightenment. This was what Jesus was eluding to when he invited the apostles to follow Him at the beginning of His ministry in Mark 1:17. He would make them fishers of men. He would open their eyes to see how service to others helps others to come to the awareness of God and His plan for mankind.
Jesus was only going to be with them for a short period of time, then they would have to carry on the work. A minister basically does the same thing. Encourage others: to live more boldly for Christ, to respect God’s direction, and to be more aware of God in our lives. Praise God for opportunities, and may these words of praise, encouragement, instruction, and challenge be a blessing to you.
