Diversions: Opportunities for Service

by William Justice

Overview

Jesus saw diversions as opportunities for ministry – for service to human need. Then I began to think of times when I have been headed in one direction, only to be interrupted — stopped or redirected toward an opportunity to serve the needs of someone other than myself.
I dislike admitting it within this context, but when someone or something interrupts me from a task, I sometimes feel frustrated — even irritated. I am still trying to integrate into my psyche that diversions in life are often opportunities for serving someone’s need. And filling the need of a fellow human being is at the heart of the meaning of the word “love” that Jesus used most often when He spoke of love. Jesus said clearly, “A new commandment I give you, that you love (agapé) one another. As I have loved (agapé) you, love (agapé) one another” (John 13:34-35). This form of love is not a feeling word! It is an action word. This form of love says, “Not only do I want the best for you, I am habitually working in your best interests.”
When you are working in my best interests, you are sacrificing your time and energy in my behalf. The agapé form of love requires sacrifice. When we pay the emotional cost experienced because of our diversions toward service to others, we are fulfilling Christ’s Law of Love. If we remain alert, we may do as Jesus did: We may use our diversions to serve others – to minister to others – to show love for others.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940016312538
Publisher:	William G.Justice
Publication date:	02/16/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	30 KB

About the Author

William G. Justice, D.Min., D.Phil., D.Litt., has authored twenty-five books and over 200 articles. He has taught the Bible for fifty years, having begun while a Piloting B-29 bombers for the U. S. Air Force during the Korean War. While serving for thirty-one years as a professional hospital chaplain, he became licensed as a Professional Counselor, and as a Marriage and Family Therapist, and has taught off-campus extension courses to candidates for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees for eleven colleges, universities, theological seminaries, and graduate schools. For fifteen years, he served as the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Oxford Society of Scholars of Oxford Graduate School. Although retired, he continues as a Distinguished Professor, having taught, for several years, an historical course on the improving influence of Christianity on every society into which Christianity has been integrated.
A high school history teacher sparked his interest in history that as only grown over the past sixty-five years. His first timeline, still in progress, was of world history, which he began more than forty years ago.
He now lives in Powell, a suburb of Knoxville, TN.