God’s Way

Matthew 20:28a For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others.

 What is God’s way? Is it supposed to be…my way? How can it be? God is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-everything-I’m-not. What is God’s Way—that’s possibly mine?

 Jesus showed us—in humble obedience to the Father, and in love to all he met. We can learn about that when we—as the disciples did—follow in his footsteps. The way may be different for each of us but the theme is the same. Service to others.

 Leo Buscaglia, a professor at USC, tells a story about a student named Joel who was miserable. He felt useless and worthless. He was depressed. He said, “There is not one thing in my life that is worthwhile.” Buscaglia said, “OK, Joel, let’s go make a visit.” He took Joel to a convalescent hospital near campus where there were many older people, lying on beds, staring at the ceiling.

 Joel decried, “What am I doing here? I don’t know anything about gerontology.” Buscaglia said, “Good. You see that lady over there on the bed? Go over and say hello to her?” Joel shrugged his shoulders and did so. She looked at him suspiciously and asked, “Are you a relative?” Joel said, “No.” And she said, “Good, sit down.” And they started to talk.

 In their time together she told him all kinds of things about love, about pain, about suffering, and even about approaching death and dying . . . with which she had made her own peace. She knew all these things, but nobody cared to listen to her (except now Joel).

 Well, Joel then visited once a week—so regularly they soon named it “Joel’s Day,” Buscaglia said that the greatest day in his teaching career was when he was walking across campus one Saturday, and there was Joel, like a pied piper, with thirty older people stretched out behind him. He was taking them to the coliseum to see a football game.

 That’s God’s way—to find your life, your joy, your meaning, and your mission by reaching out in love to help other people. “Don’t know how or where,” you say. Easy. E-mail Bobbie at St. James church (Dofd@stjameslimerick.org) or call 610-287-7231, extension 12 and convey this simple message, “I’m available to reach out to others in need. How may I help? Contact me…”

There is a service that is ready-made for you and your talents. Ask God to show you.

Then know, it’s not your abilities that are supreme, it’s your availability.