Michael Shook, St. Luke’s member since 2012 and Genesis Class Member/Teacher

Acts 20:35
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’  

Reflection:
My Christian mentor, Roy, who brought me to Christ in my late teens, was a workhorse. He was always the busiest person I knew. Roy was a public school English teacher, a drama teacher, my youth leader at church, and heavily involved in the Methodist Church administration and conference activities. Roy’s life was based on service and was the happiest person I knew, despite not fitting what society deemed as “successful.” Roy lived with his parents well into his 30’s, never married, never really achieved financial security, and had many health issues that burdened him in his early 20’s and beyond. Yet Roy was my first example of someone who gave his life away to his faith and service, and he was so happy. He never seemed stressed about anything. Roy confidently smiled and kept going even when doctors and others told him to slow down…because everything to Roy was about others.      

I often think about Roy and others I have had in my life that were dedicated to helping and accepting others in so many ways. In my late 20’s, I observed a pattern that the happiest people I knew, who were much happier than me, focused on helping others, and almost never focused on themselves. How did they do this? What I observed, first and foremost, was a Christian-focused acceptance of others with a lack of condescending judgment. These “givers” looked for the good in people and overlooked the things that they may not have found pleasant. Serving didn’t hinge on the person’s politics, views on life, or even behavior; it was about the need and giving. These “givers” found how to love and serve others, without judging them or even the “results of their giving.” These “givers” were happy just giving to others and really didn’t have time to think or fret about the things in life that bother most of us.  

In these days of tremendous stress around pandemics and racial transformation, I find the most energizing and happiest moments in my life are when I support others; when I give of my time and energy to helping others succeed or live better in some way. As Luke says in Acts 20:35, “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”  If you are like me, happiness in your life and confidence in your faith are the best blessings imaginable.

Closing Prayer:
Father God, please remind me of your way to a life fulfilled by showing me ways to serve others with the gifts you have given me. Remind me of the power of the Holy Spirit to energize me for the next giving moment. And bless me with the attitude of giving and serving as you have created me to do. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.