Take Five: 17 Simple Ways to Serve Others

When we are hurried inside, serving others may be the last thing on our minds or in our hearts. We may feel there is so much on our plate that doing something for others is beyond our bandwidth. But that kind of hurry is unreal.

Our first work is not our already-too-long to-do list. Our first work as followers of Jesus is the work of Jesus, whether our job is at a church or non-profit or not.

Serving others does not always require heroic, time-intensive efforts. We can serve another in any moment. We have often said that anything worth doing is worth starting small.

Ministry as a way of serving the good of others can be done in just a few moments during our day. Some claim that Mother Teresa once said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”

With our 24/7 news cycle presenting needs to us from all around the world, we can easily become overwhelmed. We can feel fearful and powerless to make a difference. Those needs are far beyond our capacity. We can feel uncertain as to how we can help.

Mother Teresa often spoke of loving the one right in front of you. When someone came to her, asking how they could serve God, she would often say something like, “Go home and love your family.” She believed in loving those who were present in our lives.

Ministry does not require traveling to another continent. Ministry happens right where we are, in our day-to-day circumstances. Ministry does not have to be a major event requiring weeks and months of planning. Ministry can be the overflow of God's love in our life to others in a simple moment.

Jesus invites us to love our neighbor. He doesn’t say, “Love everyone at once.” Only God has the capacity to do that. We can love our neighbor—the one who is near enough to us that we can serve their good.

The little “five minute” ideas in this week's download are not complex. That’s the point. You could easily add plenty of other creative ways to bless another. We simply encourage you to do the good that God has put in your heart for the benefit of another.

These mini-ministries can be done as you live your real, day-to-day life, including emailing, grocery shopping, driving, doing laundry and washing dishes.

Blessings to you as you live, love and serve.

CLICK HERE to download this free resource.