"May I Help You?"

We hear this question regularly - generally from a salesperson. It is such a common query that we do not consider its motive or pause to analyze its content.

We expect a salesperson to ask. They are expected to ask. That is their job - to help customers to select and purchase items. This is what they are paid to do.

Ah! So, this reveals the reason why they smile - why they are so helpful - why they are especially courteous and solicitous - why their entire being and attitude exudes such pleasant and personal attention to other persons.

It is safe to assume that if the contact between the same two persons were anything other than a salesperson/customer one, the entire exchange - if there were one at all - would be completely different.

Wouldn't it be nice - even Christian - if helpfulness and pleasantness were a lifestyle? If we were actually planning to help others throughout our day? If, in the course of doing what we wanted and had to do, we were actually searching for ways we could be of assistance to those around us?

Such an idea carried out would have to indicate a servanthood mentality. Such persons would need to view helping and serving others as their role - their purpose for existence. It is not difficult to serve if we see this as our role, and our Jesus, Himself, clearly stated that His purpose was to serve and to give.

BUT...it is tough if deep down inside we are really wanting others to do the same for us, and resenting it if it does not occur.

Jesus said it like this in Matthew 5:3: "Blessed (happy) are the poor in spirit (those who claim and expect nothing): for theirs is the kingdom of heaven".