Serving with Love 以爱心服事
Dexu Xia
Use whatever gift you have received to serve others. 1 Peter 4:10
When Krystal first started work at a Virginia coffee shop, she served a customer named Ibby. Because Ibby is hearing impaired, he placed his order using a typed note on his phone. After Krystal learned Ibby was a regular customer, she determined to serve him better by learning enough American Sign Language so he could place his order without writing it down.
In a small way, Krystal showed Ibby the kind of love and service Peter encourages us all to offer one another. In his letter to believers in Jesus who’d been scattered and exiled, the apostle indicates that they ought to “love each other deeply” and use their gifts “to serve others” (1 Peter 4:8, 10). Whatever skills and abilities He’s equipped us with are gifts we can use to benefit others. As we do, our words and actions can bring honor to God.
Peter’s words were especially important to those he wrote to, for they were experiencing a season of pain and isolation. He encouraged them to serve one another during the time of distress to help them bear up under their trials. Though we may not know the specific pain another person experiences, God can help us to show empathy as well as graciously and cheerfully serve one another with our words, resources, and abilities. May God help us serve others as a reflection of His love. By: Kirsten Holmberg
When have you experienced the kind of hospitality Peter encourages? Who could you serve with your words, skills, and resources today?
Father, please help me to serve those around me with all that You’ve given me.
各人要照所得的恩赐彼此服事。—彼得前书4章10节
当莉丝刚到维吉尼亚州的一家咖啡店工作时，曾经服务过一位名叫伊比的客人。由于伊比有听力障碍，所以只能用手机打字点餐。莉丝在得知伊比是常客之后，为了要提供伊比更完善的服务，决定学习一些常用的美式手语，好让伊比无需打字就能点餐。
莉丝的付出虽然微不足道，但她向伊比展现的爱心和服务态度，正是使徒彼得鼓励我们彼此相待的方式。使徒彼得在书信中，劝勉当时那些流离四散的信徒务要“彼此切实相爱”，每个人都要用所领受的恩赐“彼此服事”（彼得前书4章8、10节）。无论上帝赐给你我何种技艺及才能，都是我们可以用来使他人受惠的恩赐。当我们发挥恩赐、彼此服事，我们的言行举止便能使上帝得到荣耀。
彼得的劝勉对他的读者来说，尤其重要，因为他们当时正遭遇患难、孤立无援。彼得鼓励他们在苦难中要彼此服事，好让他们能在磨难中坚持下去。虽然我们或许不知道别人遭遇何种变故，但上帝能帮助我们发挥同理心，用言语、资源及能力，亲切而愉快地彼此服事。愿上帝帮助我们，以服事他人来体现祂的爱。
作者： 洪可婷
你何时曾经历过使徒彼得所说的款待？
今日你能用言语、技能及资源去服事谁？
天父，请帮助我用祢赐给我的一切，去服事我周围的人。