If you asked my friends to describe me, one of the things that I think would come up in their, obviously overflowing, list of kind words is laid back. I’m a go with the flow kind of person. Problems and setbacks are going to come up, and I know in my heart that 9 times out of 10, I can come up with a creative solution or workaround. However, there are times, those nasty 1 out of 10 situations, when the solution needed can’t just be cobbled together from duct tape and ingenuity.

This past week, my computer crashed beyond my capabilities to mend, and we had a problem with the building that can’t be solved by the multi-tool I keep in my desk. I hate problems like this. I hate them because it requires me to do one of the most difficult things in the world: ask for help.

If you’re like me you know the struggle of admitting you can’t do something on your own, figuring out who you should reach out to, trying one last time to force a solution, and finally swallowing your pride and asking for help. As hard and ridiculous as this process we put ourselves through is, it has never been necessary. The people I have asked for help have been happy to help. They are thankful for an opportunity to serve. Now I just hope they can find a solution.

There are people who are overjoyed to help when we ask for it. When someone asks, you usually don’t think twice and just say yes because what they’re asking usually isn’t that big of a deal. Peter put it this way,

1 Peter 4:8-11 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins…10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace…whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

There are people who love you and want to help. If everything is going great for you then look around and try to anticipate the needs of others.

Service can bring a better understanding of grace to everyone involved.