By Lucy Moll
Worship Anew Intern

While helping others certainly blesses those around us, we often overlook how service to God can add to our own satisfaction and happiness. When we help others, we carry out part of God’s plan for us.

Martin Luther described sin as “incurvatus in se,” which translates to “curved inward.” The basis of sin is an obsession with the desires of the flesh. When we are trapped in our sinful nature, we only care about ourselves. This self-centeredness leads us to put our own desires before the needs of others. As long as we put our neighbor’s needs above our own, we are actively resisting sin’s hold on us.

This came up in my conversation with the Rev. Thomas Eggold and his wife, Sonya. Both are faithful servants of the Lord at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Ind. Pastor Eggold explained that much of a pastor’s work takes place outside of the church, counseling members and guiding them spiritually. He estimated that he spends five to 10 hours a week on pastoral care and visits.

“This is not a job; it’s a lifestyle,” he said. “There are no hours.”

He explained that his job can take a toll on him, especially when there are multiple funerals and emergencies, but expressed his thankfulness for the opportunity to help others grow closer to God.

Sonya Eggold works mainly behind the scenes, helping Pastor Eggold through his tasks and supporting him.

We are told in Matthew 6:3b-4 (NIV), “Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” In keeping our service to ourselves, we fight our sinful, self-centered nature.

The Gerontological Society of America has conducted extensive research on the impact of service on aging adults. They found, through several studies, that people who volunteered consistently reported fewer symptoms of depression than those who did not. The benefits included a stronger sense of community, increased activity, and improved mental well-being. One participant in the studies described how service affects them in this way: “Volunteering saved my life. I literally would be dead if I didn’t have this to do. … (It is the) reason that I get up in the morning” (Landry, 2017).

While it seems obvious that it’s good to help out, it’s another story when it comes to finding a way to serve. The first place that many people look for an opportunity is their church. There are so many ways for you to use whatever skills God has gifted you with, including singing in the choir, serving as an elder, helping with church administration, or volunteering with children’s ministry. Romans 12:4-8 says that every member has a role in the body of Christ. Many churches also focus on community outreach. This could be serving at a food pantry or spreading the Word of God to those who haven’t heard it.

If you are unable to help in-person for whatever reason, there are still many opportunities for you to serve the Lord through your actions. Reconnect with old friends, coworkers, or family members and ask how you can pray for them. Often a simple conversation can make a lasting impact on someone’s outlook on life.

Pastor Eggold highlighted that the most important work that the church community does is to look out for each other and help each other through hard times. As he put it, “there’s always someone who needs somebody else,” whether they are your next-door neighbor, a distant family member, or the person in the pew next to you every week.

If you are able, look into ways to volunteer at your church or in your community. If not, reach out to someone who could use a listening ear. As 1 Peter 4:10 reminds us, every believer has received gifts from God, and we are called to use them faithfully in His service.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)