It’s often used as a shallow condolence offered without any commitment to act on another’s behalf. “Thoughts and Prayers” has gotten a bad rap lately. And so, we don’t merely give lip service to orphans and widows this Sunday we find ways to serve them throughout the year and practice the biblical call to a lifestyle of service. When we look at scripture, it is undeniable that serving those in need is a critical part of the believer’s life. And 1 Peter 4:10 says that whatever gifts we have should be used to serve others. Galatians 5:13 encourages us to not use our freedom for our flesh, but to serve one another humbly in love. Philippians 2:3-4 tells us that we’re to do nothing out of selfish ambition and are to look to the interests of others. Throughout the New Testament we are called to a lifestyle of service. Whereas it is hard for one individual to carry the weight of being near all the time, there is strength and stability when a group of people dedicate themselves to those who are suffering, whether widows in our communities or children placed in foster care. The local church has the profound opportunity to be near to the brokenhearted over a long period of time. My husband remarked, “It does my heart good seeing that front door open so often.” There was rarely a night when we didn’t see cars in her driveway, with someone bringing a meal over or just sitting with her. In the following weeks, we saw her local church show up and draw near. Last year our neighbor’s husband had a medical emergency sadly, he did not survive.
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