Designed to Serve: The Mental Health and Spiritual Rewards of Generosity
Hours before he is set to be crucified, Jesus sat down with his disciples for one last meal in the upper room. His disciples were oblivious to the fact that in a few mere hours, Jesus would make the ultimate sacrifice. Jesus of course, knew the stark reality he faced. He grieved. He felt betrayed. He begged God to remove the cup of suffering he was to endure (Luke 22:42). Jesus felt the full weight of human suffering leading up to his death. I cannot even begin to fathom how he felt during the last meal of his life.
In the midst of unimaginable despair He got up from the table, took off his outer clothing, wrapped a towel around his waist and began to wash the feet of his disciples.
In this time period, the washing of feet was a task reserved for the lowest of servants. Yet the Son of Man, the Messiah, the King of Kings in the final hours of his life, knelt in humility to perform this intimate act of service.
Wow.
Jesus demonstrated radical humility, servant leadership, and unconditional love. His act not only cleansed their physical feet but symbolized a deeper spiritual cleansing. One that would be fully realized through His death and resurrection. Through this service, He models for us the cleansing of pride and selfishness, inviting us into a life of humility, love, and service.
Jesus directly calls us to serve others as a reflection of himself (Matthew 25:40). Serving others makes visible the love of God through our actions and glorifies Him (1 Peter 4:11)
However, service to others is more than obedience. Jesus also understood an eternal truth: selfless service to others helps the giver just as much as it helps the receiver. When we serve, we cultivate humility and empathy, deepening our connection with others and with God. Acts of service can bring joy, purpose, and personal growth, reinforcing our spiritual and emotional well-being.
Modern science repeatedly proves this eternal truth. Studies show that serving others releases dopamine and serotonin in the brain resulting in improved mood and reduced anxiety. Service to others also allows us to personally connect with others, improving social connections which has been shown to reduce depression and loneliness. In fact, a recent study from Harvard University showed that social connection is the biggest protective factor against depression.
If you struggle with depression and anxiety, chances are you know how difficult it can be to focus on anything other than your own suffering. Serving others puts your problems into perspective and forces you to think outside of yourself, redirecting your attention away from self-criticism and instead helps you realize the value you can offer others.
The holiday season is approaching, and while filled with joy for many, others may experience increased feelings of grief, loneliness, or seasonal depression. For some, the holidays serve as a difficult reminder of their challenging family dynamics. Some surveys report that as many as 3 out of 5 Americans feel their mental health is negatively impacted by the holiday season. So, if you find yourself struggling this holiday season, consider what Jesus modeled for us and science teaches us. I urge you to listen to the nudging of the Holy Spirit calling you into service this holiday season. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Give Financially: Pay outstanding lunch balances, help turn someone’s lights back on, adopt a child from your local angel tree, or donate food to your local soup kitchen.
Build Community: Invite someone who lives far from family to your holiday celebrations, call or write a loved one.
Donate: Give your gently used clothes to a homeless shelter instead of selling them, or offer your time to help an elderly neighbor who can’t shovel snow.
Volunteer: Join a local soup kitchen, toy drive, or homeless shelter to serve actively.
As we consider these practical ways to serve others this holiday season, let us remember that our call to serve is rooted in the profound example Jesus gave during His final hours. Hours before His crucifixion, Jesus demonstrated the ultimate act of humility and love. Though He faced unimaginable sorrow and suffering, He chose to wash the feet of His disciples. This extraordinary act reveals the heart of true service: selfless, humble, and transformative.
Returning to the scene in the upper room, Jesus finished washing the feet of his disciples, put on his clothes, and returned to the head of the table. He addressed his disciples saying, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you…now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”
Cory Fuemmeler, LPC