Help Others

“When the oxygen masks drop down, secure your own mask before helping those around you.” We’ve all heard these words on a plane. And it makes sense. How can you help others if you can’t even breathe yourself?

These days where mental health is front and centre, the emphasis is “Take care of yourself.” It appears that people are relaxing more, treating themselves more often. Nothing wrong with that, but in doing so we have seemingly forgotten our neighbours and others that need our help. We tend not to give up our only free night to coach a kids’ soccer team. We need that time for us! We just can’t give that extra money as offering on Sunday because that’s my morning coffee cash.

I somehow don’t think that is the attitude of Christ that Paul was talking about. Jesus always showed love for others. His love was self-sacrificing up to the point of death on a cross.

It is important that we look after ourselves, but once we are taken care of, we need to shift our focus to those who need us. There are people all around us who need our help.

May we be more like Jesus and give a little more of ourselves to those who need our love.

Jesus, give us the strength to be more like you. Amen. — TB