“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” – Philippians 2:3&4 NIV
Flames erupted and smoke billowed as the wildfire engulfed the three grain elevators on the western side. Tornadic winds pushed the blaze east, following the railroad tracks through the southern section of the community. Volcanic-style debris fell, igniting new fires in yards and on buildings. Most of the community evacuated. Some residents stayed behind to help fight the firestorm and to check on neighbors.
By the time the numerous firefighters extinguished the inferno, more than twenty homes, a highway bridge, numerous barns, sheds, and equipment, and 10,600 acres of land were consumed.
Elderly people and families with children lost houses and possessions. Ranchers and farmers lost pastures and buildings. But the residents of the town of Denton, Montana, did not lose their love for each other nor their resiliency. And inhabitants within the state of Montana and beyond did not lose their compassion for those living in the 300-person town: donations of clothing, blankets, food, bottled water, household essentials, pet products, and money poured in as did firefighters from throughout the Big Sky State. My parents’ home still stands because people hosed the dwelling with water as the fire reached their neighborhood and because others put out the grass fire that erupted in the church yard across the street.
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Stirred to compassion
The man who delivered two cases of water to my parents’ home mentioned that he and his two friends brought three truckloads of donated items from a town 40 miles away. I asked him if he lived there.
“No,” he replied. “My buddies and I were working on a project nearby and because the highway shut down and there’s no electricity, we can’t work. So, we’re helping out in Denton however we can.”
Strangers to the area. Good Samaritans “helping out” however they could.
Compassion and love draw us to help others. Whether administrating first aid at a traffic accident, donating to help a community destroyed by tornado or fire, ringing a bell for the Salvation Army’s red kettle Christmas project, or helping women experiencing unplanned pregnancies, many people respond as Good Samaritans – assisting those in need.
Just as volunteers, including those with the Red Cross, came to the aid of my parents’ small town in Montana, they are now helping communities in Kentucky, Arkansas, Indiana, and other states impacted by recent tornadoes that destroyed towns and took lives in that region.
Commanded to love
Service shows the love of God.
Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, reminded them, and us, to value others more than ourselves (see Philippians 2:3&4). He echoed the words of Jesus, as recorded in Matthew’s Gospel, when a Pharisee questioned Christ about the greatest commandment:
“One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’” (Matthew 22: 35-40).
“Love your neighbor as yourself” – not a request, but a command, a stake in the ground, and a trademark of the pregnancy help movement. As workers in this field of God’s Kingdom, we showcase the love of Christ through the services we provide and the attitude we possess in that provision. We don’t judge, we love. We don’t condemn, we give compassion. We don’t glare, we listen. We don’t slander, we offer resources. We do this at our centers not just during the holiday season, but every day throughout the year. We follow God’s example.
Following God’s command and example
“Because of the LORD’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22 & 23, NIV
We don’t win every battle in our fight for life, but we entrust our patients and clients – and their decisions – to a loving, compassionate, and righteous God, a God who came into the world as a baby born in lowly circumstances to humble people. Jesus, the Son of God, Prince of Heavenly Royalty, came as a human, leaving the highest throne to be born in a stable as the son of peasants. God’s love and compassion for sinful people brought His Son to this world of humankind to be the bridge to Himself.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Because of that love and compassion, those who accept Christ as Lord and Savior are welcomed, not just as neighbors, but as children of God (see 1 John 3:1).
As Christmas Day draws ever closer and our celebration of the coming of Jesus as that stable-born baby fills our hearts and minds, may we reflect on the humbleness and servitude of Christ. And may we continue to respond to God’s command to love our neighbors – whether they live next door, across the street, across town, in our nation, or around the world. May we, like Jesus, always look for ways to serve people in need through our pregnancy centers and beyond. We are His hands and feet, that Good Samaritan, children of God – ambassadors for the Creator who loves His creation.
“…whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Matthew 20:26-28
