Discover Your Soul's Path to GodSample

Christians who love God by loving others are caregivers at heart. Their daily lives are characterized by service and compassion. Giving care isn’t a chore but a form of worship. The true caregiver is not a people pleaser, though. Although they care about people, when serving God and serving others come into conflict, the caregiver chooses to please and serve God. Caregivers—shepherds—can become lions if need be to carry out their mission. We see this in the example of Mordecai in the book of Esther, and in the example of Jesus. 

Mordecai cared for his young orphaned niece Esther, he spoke up about a plot to kill the king, and he served his people. God used Mordecai’s faith and ability to put others first to save the nation of Israel. Jesus cared for the sick, the demon-possessed, and the lost, and he urged his followers to do the same. Jesus placed his own needs underneath the needs of others. He had a more important mission to accomplish than anyone who has ever lived, yet he still found time to care for the basic needs of crowds of people (see Matthew 14:13–21). It is so easy to ignore the needs of others around us because we have “more important things” to do, but Jesus defined these very needs as a central part of our mission.

Though some people excel in this avenue of loving God, it should be a part of every Christian’s life. We needn’t limit our definition of caregiving, however. The caregiver temperament incorporates many different avenues of loving God through serving others. Some might interpret giving care as quietly sitting by an elderly person’s bed, others as working on a volunteer rescue unit or repairing a house. With the Spirit’s inspiration impelling us, there is no limit to the number of opportunities available to those who seek to care for others. Whether we serve as a prelude to evangelism or to demonstrate the love of Jesus to others, it is a powerful picture of the gospel in action.

Self-centered creatures that we are, being concerned about others is an unnatural response and provides evidence of a supernatural touch by God. The caregiver is a witness to God’s existence by demonstrating his love through the giving of care. Christians who demonstrate compassion because they are passionately in love with God will thus speak prophetically to a selfish culture—and, sometimes, a selfish church. Selfishness distorts true sacrifice, and sacrifice is at the heart of true care—caring out of love for God because we know God loves us so much.

Caregiving is not a license to judge others who serve God in different ways. It also isn’t a way to validate ourselves or a way to get others to love or need us in return. Caregivers, in their zeal to love God by loving others, may also lose the priority of caring for those at home first. Changing the world begins with loving God by loving those at home.

Acts of mercy are a practical way for you to show your love for God, but it is also a way to grow in your love for God. This is a high and holy calling. It won’t be as visible as preaching to crowds, but it is particularly precious to our Father in heaven.

Respond

How do you feel about caring for those who cannot reciprocate?

How can caring for others be an act of worship rather than just an act of service?

What does the way you treat vulnerable people tell the world about God’s heart for people?