Help!!! When we hear someone yell this, we instinctively run to the rescue. What is it about that word that makes us more likely to run to trouble than away from it? We will help a perfect stranger if we see them in need. We will help them carry groceries to their car. We will wait and hold the door open while they hurriedly run to the building. For the most part, people like helping other people.
A Social Capital Community Benchmark Survey revealed that people who gave more to charity in 2000 were 43 percent more likely than non-givers to say they were “very happy” about their lives. Likewise, a University of Michigan Panel Study on Income Dynamics found that, people who gave money away in 2001 were 34 percent less likely than non-givers to say they had felt “so sad that nothing could cheer them up.” They were also 68 percent less likely to have felt “hopeless” and 24 percent less likely to have said that “everything was an effort.” Kimberly Yam wrote in a HuffPost article that, “giving back has an effect on your body as well. Studies show that when people donated to charity, the mesolimbic system, the portion of the brain responsible for feelings of reward, was triggered. The brain also releases feel-good chemicals and spurs you to perform more kind acts — something psychologists call ‘helper’s high.’”
Where did this desire to help come from and what purpose can it serve? Is it just a product of evolution? Is it built in to make sure that the human race survives and thrives? Is there a spiritual reason that would help to explain the seemingly universal desire to be of service to other people? What do we think of those that don’t help or try to improve conditions for others? Maybe it’s most beneficial in our individual pursuit of purpose that we help ourselves by helping others.
Here are 3 questions to consider when considering how your purpose can help others:
WHO CAN I HELP?
Be specific…at least at first. Who is your primary audience? Once you are effective with that group you can begin to branch out. One of the greatest leaders in the history of the world, Jesus, implemented this strategy. “Then the disciples came and said to him, ‘Why do you speak to them in parables?’ 11 And he answered them, ‘To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given’” (Matt. 13:10-11). He began by focusing His teaching and attention on His twelve selected disciples. Then, once they had a firm grasp on the message, He branched out. It is likely that the purpose that you and I have been given can help many people do many things. That being said, giving greater attention to a small group can produce a greater impact than giving some attention to a large group.
HOW CAN I HELP?
Who really needs what is inside of you? What do you have to offer? What skills do you possess? You may be able to offer your time, expertise, testimony, experience, money, guidance or just a helping hand. If your purpose is to mentor young men, then that passion will be in you whenever you see a misguided young man. Your purpose is never self-contained, which is to say that it’s never only about you. Lastly, one of the best ways you can help others is by continuing to improve yourself.
WHY SHOULD I HELP?
The simple answer is – because you can. The more complex answer is – because you were designed to. When we are properly positioned, we will be able to see the answer to someone’s problem that others may be missing. In this case, based on what is inside of you, the only person that could help might be you. We have heard people say, “I saw what needed to be done so I did it” when asked why they helped. Then we praise them for doing the extraordinary. We should help because the purpose in you makes your ordinary seem extraordinary to me and vice versa. Our differences allow us to thrive in our individual purpose and help us to survive together.
“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”
NOW BOOKING FOR 2018!!!
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