Kimberly reflects on how our desire to help others should be motivated by care for the other and not by a desire to glorify ourselves or show off our talents.

By Kimberly Ross

There's much to be said for helping others. In a world of selfish ambition, reaching outside your circle to impact lives is far too rare. It is needed, though. That much is certain. Whether it's assisting a neighbour close by or someone who is unknown and far away, it is always worth it. More than that, it has a lasting impact. 

A social media-obsessed culture places great emphasis on the value of recognition. It's one of life's many temptations. The thought of being singled out for the good we've done or the abilities we have is certainly enticing. But if we give of ourselves to others with that singular motivation, we are doing it wrong.  

In the second chapter of Mark, we find the story of Jesus helping the paralytic man. It is a moving story. Christ is busy with His earthly ministry and draws large crowds. The hunger and thirst for truth, love, and forgiveness resonated as much then as it does now. Verse 2 reads, "They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them." Many would be turned away by such crowds, but a group of men weren't. The chapter continues: "Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralyzed man, 'Son, your sins are forgiven.' "

Beyond giving the gift of forgiveness, Christ commanded the paralytic to get up and walk. And he did. He collected his mat and walked out of that crowded place, changed forever, both physically and spiritually. But looking a bit closer, around the miraculous, we see that the paralytic would not have been in that position at all were it not for the faith of his four friends. These four, nameless individuals did not only carry him to the Saviour but removed part of the roof and lowered their friend down into the midst of everyone. Talk about boldness and surety. Their goal was to present their friend, the paralytic, for both inward and outward healing. That motivated them to go above and beyond what anyone else in attendance would do. 

What else do we know about these four? The answer: nothing. We don't know their names or any other characteristics. We don't know what happens to them afterwards. They aren't mentioned again. Odd? To our modern minds, perhaps. But the lack of additional details about the four is a lesson in itself. They didn't carry their friend and work to make sure he saw the Saviour for their own commendation. Their entire objective was to see how, with their talents, strength and being able-bodied, they could help another who lacked both. In other words, it isn't about us, it's about others. And that idea is a wake-up call to me. 

Those four, nameless men who lowered their friend down in front of the King of Kings may not be the most important part of the story. However, without them, their dedication, diligence, and lack of ego, their friend's physical and spiritual state would not have changed. Jesus saw their faith, and it changed a life forever. Does Jesus see my faith? Does He see yours? I pray He does. 

Whether it's a friendly gesture to help someone during daily activities or giving of time and resources to Aid to the Church in Need, it matters. And the end result - lives changed, hearts softened, resources gained, is far more important than acknowledgement. This approach goes against the grain of our selfish society. Let it encourage and challenge us all.