And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Galatians 6:9-10, NKJV

Have you ever thought about how important you are to others? Because of humility, most do not like to think about such things, but this question is not posed from a sense of pride but from one of urgency. The fact is that people really do need you. Whether you like it or not, you are likely someone's best chance of help, whether that help will lead them to Christ, or if it will lift a burden in such a way that thy can cope with the difficulties of life.

So, the question of your importance to others is a vital one for us to address because if we do not do our part, it is likely that others will suffer. But with life having so many challenges, it is often all we can do just to take care of our own problems, so the prospect of helping others can at times seem overwhelming. Maybe this is why the command to do good to others is preceded by an encouragement to not grow weary or lose heart.

The fact is that we need each other. God has designed life as a team effort, and while it is true that each of us will ultimately be judged on an individual basis, we still need the help and encouragement of others to have the best chance at salvation.

And people really do need us!

So, as you go through this day, why not take a little extra thought as to how you might be a benefit to others? Instead of acting like a parasite whose chief motivation is to leech off of what others have to give to you, why not look for opportunities to give to them in such a way that will uplift them? Why not take an extra, few seconds to offer a word of encouragement? This small effort might give them the lift that they need to keep on going. And speaking of "lifting", why not be observant enough to notice when people are struggling with a load that you could easily help them with, if you were to be thoughtful enough to do so.

Perhaps more than anything, we are talking about letting your light shine before men so that they might praise God and draw closer to Him. We are essentially taking the needed moments to "walk the walk" rather than just "talk the talk" of Christian living. The Christian life is designed to be one of service but, selfish creatures that we are, it often devolves into a lifestyle of self-serving pursuits because we are looking out for ourselves instead of others.

So, we really do need to take a few moments from time to time and reflect upon the question, "What will people do without us?" I believe that if we do, and if we actually go beyond just thinking about helping others more to the point that we will get actively involved, that life will change. It will certainly change for those we are helping, but it will also increase our levels of happiness and satisfaction. For when we truly do unto others as we would have them do to us, life becomes a joy. And then there will be heaven!

And if we do it right, maybe there will be others there that we helped along the way! But if we don't help others as we see the opportunity, it might just be that neither of us makes it to that glorious destination. And that would be a shame. We really do need to take the time to consider just what people would do without us, don't you think?