Care.

"If you aren't committed to someone, someone suffers." (That doesn't just mean the person that you're not committed to. It means you too.)

This summer, I have been absolutely astounded to learn about the implications of truly caring for someone...well, more than one someone. I've written before about the fact that everyone needs encouragement...and I guess this is coming off of that...but displaying Christ-like love to people is one of the most worthwhile things you can do. Once you know a few people so well that you can just tell when they are struggling with something, you can begin to learn how you can help and encourage them. But believe me, that process begins with simply caring for them.

"Care" in this sense is defined as: painstaking or watchful attention; regard coming from desire or esteem. As Christians, this is essentially what we are supposed to do. Even though he probably has no idea that I've picked up on this, I have really been impacted by the way my dad asks nearly everyone he talks to "Can I do anything for you?" Even if they say no, he has demonstrated that he sincerely cares for them and he is willing to do whatever he can for them.

John 21:15-17 is the conversation between Jesus and Peter when Jesus appears to the seven disciples after His resurrection. Jesus asks Peter 3 times if he loves Him...each time, when Peter says yes, Jesus tells him to care for His sheep, to feed His lambs. If we love God, we will care for the people He has placed in our lives, whether we think they deserve it or not. In fact, I will venture to say that the ones who deserve it least are the ones who need it most.

"Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly--not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God." --1 Peter 5:2.

Even though this passage is written to elders and leaders in the church, we are all ministers (1 Peter 2:9). We are to be concerned for the people around us...unselfishly. We gain the greatest reward for doing something that we will not get credit for.

"Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don't look out for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too." --Philippians 2:3-4.

Show them Jesus.