"Be kind and compassionate to one another." Ephesians 4:32a

Ever have a colleague who offers a tissue in response to tears? A neighbor you’ve never met brings dinner over when she learns your mother passed away? A friend who offers to keep your young children so you can fly out to your grandma’s funeral? Though all might not be Christians, all are the hands and feet of Jesus in dark hours.

All too often, we’re uncomfortable letting anyone know that all is not right in our world. We don’t want to owe anyone so we hesitate to accept the help that comes in response to tough times.

But Jesus reaches down from heaven through other people’s hands. When we refuse their help, we may actually be refusing Him. We cry out for God’s help, but when it comes in the form of another human, we loathe to accept it. For some reason we suddenly let pride stand in the way of allowing others to be used by God to show His love and compassion.

If you’re in the midst of tough times right now, how can you let others use their hands to be Jesus to you? Can you accept a meal? An offer of transportation? A willingness to run errands? By saying ‘Yes’, you’ll let Jesus comfort you through the people He’s placed specifically and purposefully in your life. Allow Him to serve you.

• Bible Readings for the Week Ahead:
• Monday: Ephesians 4
• Tuesday: John 15:7
• Wednesday: John 16:23-24
• Thursday: Matthew 21:22
• Friday: Mark 11:24
• Saturday: Ephesians 1:3
• Sunday: Philippians 4:19