One
of those ideas was the power of stories. As people listen to a story,
they can, “connect the dots” of the life lessons that they might not hear if
they were conveyed as a series of “do’s and don’ts”. Jesus used
parables and metaphors to speak to people. He knew that He needed to use
what people understood to teach them about how to live and what God is like.
The
second thing that Milton Erickson understood was the importance of serving
others. He once was asked to see a woman whose anxiety was so great that
she couldn’t leave her house. Upon entering her home, Erickson noticed a
profusion of African violets. Other clinicians had focused on discussing
the woman’s fears, but Erickson chose to focus on an “action plan” that used
the violets. They were so beautiful that they needed to be shared with
others outside of the woman’s home. As the patient focused more and more
on sharing the gift of her flowers, her anxiety became less and less. She
was able to leave her home and serve others.
Serving
others is a powerful tool. It stretches our comfort zone. It helps
us to focus less on our own problems and become more selfless. In short,
it allows us to become more like Jesus. If this sounds like an
infomercial for outreach, it is! Our church has many opportunities to
serve both behind the scenes and in visible places. Let us help you find
a place to plug in!
For I was hungry and you gave me something
to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and
you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you
looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25: 35-36, 40 NIV
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