We should learn to serve others

Alliance Girls High School Principal Ms Dorothy Kamwilu preaches to inmates at King'ong'o G.K Prison when she accompanied students from her school and Nyeri High School who visited thev prison for a familiarisation tour. Photo by JOB WERU/Standard

Me, myself and I. This is what most definitely characterises many people today. We live for prosperity. The reason we wake up early in the morning and oversleep on Sunday is money.

We fear to lose our jobs or businesses, and consequently our source of livelihood which is responsible for our little comforts. I know a person who invited his friends for a birthday party at his home and requested them to confirm their attendance. Out of the invited 50 guests, 48 confirmed.

However, God spoke to him to do something sacrificial instead with his birthday and he obeyed.

He decided at the last minute to visit a children’s home.

He texted his friends 48 hours to the party, asking them to accompany him to the children’s home and if possible, consider making a small donation.

Your guess is as good as mine: only 3 people turned up.

Have you ever wondered what will be said of you during the funeral service? Imagine a eulogy that goes like this: “Our brother here will most definitely be remembered for the house he built in Kikuyu, the flat he built in Umoja, the all-wheel vehicle he drove and the great business he ran.”

Chances are no one in his right mind will dare read such. Often the most touching eulogies are those that speak of the departed’s commitment to serving God.

Pause for a moment and reflect on your life.

Is there any form of service you give others? Service could be anything that benefits society.

For instance, visiting the sick, the prisoners, children’s homes, praying for others.

It could be you are good at reconciling others, or going round schools speaking to students at no cost. If not, it’s certainly time to give back to the community.

Careful exploration

How do you begin to serve others? The word of God advises us to make a careful exploration of who we are and the work we have been given and then sink ourselves into it.

In other words, what do we enjoy doing? What makes us come alive? These and other similar questions will help us determine what exactly we wish to do.

We will serve others best when we have experienced whatever we want to serve in. For instance, those who have been imprisoned will be inclined to make frequent trips to prison to offer ministration to those still behind bars.