Serving Others

There are two very different views of service in the world today. The person with a self-centered worldview sees it as being a slave. Others have the power to tell them what to do. The Scout sees it as a position of strength. They chose to work at helping others so that things are better for all. They in fact are in control.

Eighteenth-Century evangelist John Wesley said, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” To live as a servant is a full-time process but a gratifying one. Servants are not slaves but people who care about others and know that they have the power and ability to make a difference.

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of another.”

Charles Dickens

1812-1870

Author

Scouts learn that serving others can be as simple as opening a door for someone, helping carry a heavy load, or babysitting a child. Servants look for ways they can help others and lighten their burdens. Serving others, by helping them to succeed or to make things a bit easier, is an act that allows us all to live a happier and more comfortable life. Sir Winston Churchill said, “If the human race wishes to have a prolonged and indefinite period of material prosperity, they have only got to behave peacefully and helpfully toward one another.”

Service is a pleasant thing as well. The more thoughtfulness you show to others, the more they will show to others as well. It is simple acts of service that will make all the difference — keeping your eyes open for opportunities to help someone every day. That will not be hard to do, and you will, I am sorry to say, be in the minority doing it. As football great Roger Staubach said, “There are no traffic jams along the extra mile.”

Scouts know that to serve and help others is not just a good idea; it is our duty. Part of the principles of Scouting is to be helpful to others. It is our way to do a good turn daily. The more we succeed the more responsibility we have to serve. It is as Albert Einstein said, “It is every man’s obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out of it.” 

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,

and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:45

Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach, and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2020 John Patrick Hickey