For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45

DEVOTION

A few months ago, I had the privilege of participating in an amazing wedding ceremony. The bride and groom were adorable, the wedding party looked impeccable, and the ceremony was inspiring. However, it was the night before the wedding that made a greater impression on me. I was invited to the rehearsal dinner which was held at a nice location with good food where stories were shared that moved me. 

One by one, the wedding party spoke about how their lives were touched in positive ways by the bride and groom. Everyone’s delivery was different, but there was a common thread of how the two who were about to get married made an impact in their lives. By the world’s standards, some actions taken by the soon-to-be married couple would be considered very small, but the things they did for others made lasting impressions. 

That night, my mind drifted back to the month after my wife and I were married when she told me about her tradition of watching the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” each Christmas season. Although I'm more interested in action movies and sports, I reluctantly accepted her invitation to watch the movie with her.

I was surprised by the effect the movie made on my life. At the time, I was a follower of Christ and working through how to live out my faith in Him. In the movie, George Bailey received a chance to see how his existence affected the lives of others by viewing the world from the vantage point of him never being born.

Among other things, George Bailey was shown that his younger brother died as a young boy because he was not there to save him from drowning, and a pharmacist went to prison for many years because he was not there to catch his mistake of filling a prescription with a deadly substance. Many people were not able to be homeowners because he was not there to make sure they had affordable buying options, and the town where he lived was unrecognizable because he was not there to influence it in many other positive ways. George Bailey was shown as sacrificing his dreams and desires in service to others. His actions made a long-term difference in the lives of others.

We may not think of ourselves as people who could save someone’s life, keep someone from going to prison, being an instrument to facilitate fair housing, or influencing the direction of a city, but God can use our acts of service to generate lasting impact in someone’s life. Christ gave his life in service to us and equips us to live our lives in service to others. 

There are plenty of meaningful ways we can serve others. A kind gesture, phone call, text, email, prayer, or willingness to listen may be just what someone needs. May the light of Christ shine brightly through you as you serve others in simple and useful ways.

Marq Youngblood

Executive Pastor at Crossings Community Center

myoungblood@crossings.church

Marq Youngblood is the Executive Pastor of Missions Ministries.

RESOURCES

• Build a Life That Matters series  
• Build a Life That Matters message:"Go"  
• I’ve Been Thinking series: “What Matters Most” 
• "Live by Faith" from Crossings Venue Worship