“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’”

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
Matthew 25:37-40

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Hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, imprisoned. It’s not enough for Christians to notice needs; we need to show care through active compassion. Toward strangers and spiritual family alike, followers of Jesus have a responsibility to love unconditionally and tangibly. If only choosing to be a servant came more naturally to us.

Over the past few months, politically related “issues” have tugged on our country’s heartstrings more than usual. Election season causes us to notice needs, even if we can’t agree on which ones matter most, their severity, or how best to solve them. There’s a lot of debate still to be had, but hopefully it comes with less polarization between people as we move forward.

Beyond our opinion or agenda, Christ calls us to serve—to serve Him and anyone the heavenly Father places in our path—regardless of where they stand. The needs we notice aren’t merely headlines, they’re connected to real people, created by God, who deserve intentional expressions of His love as much as we do.

Today, God’s word encourages us to step out as servants, to step into each other’s real lives in times of real need. By doing so, we honor Jesus, the greatest servant of all. Rather than notice needs and move on, we can choose to be caring and compassionate, even if how we feel about something or someone hasn’t caught up.

Consider praying this prayer before stepping out to serve:

Lord, I want to be someone who notices what matters most to You. Forgive me for times when I let my pursuits overshadow the needs around me. Guide me today to pay attention and be attentive to other people. As you lead, I will serve whoever, wherever, and however, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Next Steps

How has the election season affected your heart toward issues and people? Is there a need you noticed along the way that God may want you to step into? Is there someone you’ve clashed with that you can serve compassionately instead? Take a moment to listen to where and how Jesus is inviting you to be a servant.