By Leo Hellyer
As we look around us, we can see a world that is in turmoil, disorganization, chaos, and self-centeredness. Much of the so-called “truths” which we see and hear seem to be colored by some divergent politically charged extreme. Long gone are the days when the news was presented as true presentation of facts by trustworthy people like Walter Cronkite. Many of the heroes of that time in history were people who cared about others more than themselves. Servanthood was a well known and highly sought-after trait of pure-hearted leaders, followers, mentors and heroes.
As Christian men, Christ is, or should be, our template to follow in living our lives in a manner that will bring glory and pleasure to God Almighty.
Christ didn’t live His life to bring glory upon Himself but to bring glory to God the Father. Christ did not live His life as a king, but as a servant. Christ did not live by the world’s standards.
In his book, Alpha Christians, Bill Giovannetti states that, “Alpha Christians are not intimidated by the giants on the horizon. We won’t back down. We won’t give in. We won’t wimp out. We won’t compromise. We are marching from faith to faith, from victory to victory, and from glory to glory. … We take our marching orders from God above; and He alone – not the tyrants of the earth – tells us who we are.”
Jesus had a special place in His heart for those less fortunate. Jesus served the less fortunate, the widows, the hungry, the homeless. None of us have to look far to see someone in need.
In Matthew 20:26-28 Christ says, “It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave, just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
In Philippians 2:3-4, Paul speaks to us by saying, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”
As we live our lives in this conflicted and confusing world, it is easy to block the world out and only focus on ourselves and our close co-workers, friends, and family. We become what I call “Country Club Christians.” These are people who are only concerned with the members in their group and not those outside the group.
This is not how Jesus acted to strangers and those outside of His immediate circle of people. Jesus associated with the poor, the handicapped, or the disenfranchised. If you have never stepped out in faith and cared for people outside of your normal associates, you are really missing out on blessings from the Lord.
It is a great thing to live where we do. Most of us feel that the majority of the society around us is fairly well off financially, physically, emotionally and, yes, even spiritually. This evaluation can be greatly skewed if we aren’t really looking for, or aren’t very concerned about, people who aren’t in our circle. If we will really take the blinders off and will seek to serve “all,” we will find plenty of people who could benefit greatly from our authentic concern, servanthood, and love.
In our communities we have the widows, sick, homeless, working poor, drug addicts, prostitutes, felons, and sex offenders, to name a few. Oh yes, we also have liberals, conservatives, left-wingers, right-wingers, complacent people and radicals. All of these groups of people need servants of the Lord to help them in their need and show the truth and love of God Almighty to each of them.
With all respect, Christian men, we need to become a part of a “Band of Brothers.” Each of us needs to seek where God wants us to serve, and how He wants us to serve. We need to be open, willing, courageous and obedient to God’s urgings on the area of service He has prepared for us. Of course, this may be here in our own community, it may be across the country, or it may be in another country – even in China, Somalia, Iraq, Iran, or even Russia or Ukraine. Maybe we will be called to serve refugees from one of these countries who arrive here seeking peace, safety, security and true love.
A part of our group are men (and women) who are U.S. veterans, some from the Great State of Idaho, who have already served but are serving again, totally on their own. This group of veterans is serving in Ukraine under extremely dangerous conditions without any monetary support from the U.S. or Ukraine. These individuals are serving in training, support, and operational areas for Ukrainians needing their services.
Please pray that you and your brothers will be receptive to serving others wherever God calls you to do so. If you ask God how and where He wants you to serve those in need, He will answer your prayer. I prayed this prayer in 2000 and my life has never been the same. My plan for my life has not always been the same as God’s plan for my life. When I have been obedient to God’s direction in my life and ministry I have experienced His blessings abundantly.
My prayer is that God will be your Commander in Chief and that you will obediently follow Him in a valiant manner wherever He leads.
Leo Hellyer is a non-staff pastor with a local church and has been married to his wife Norma for 50 years. The couple volunteered with the Boise FamilyLife Ministry Team for 20 years. Leo has also been serving with Boise Rescue Mission Ministries for 20 years and is currently serving at the River of Life Rescue Mission. He is president and chief firearms instructor with Helping Hands Firearms Training LLC. If you have questions about Real Man’s Toolbox, or need other assistance, Leo may be reached at [email protected] or (208) 340-5544.
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