It’s hard to know when to stop when we have a genuine desire to help others. But pride subtly sneaks into our motivations when we don’t take time to intentionally be off duty. Our help becomes more about the accolades we receive rather than truly caring for others.
On the one hand, there’s great joy when God uses us to bless the lives of others. And, to be sure, there’s no day off from our duty to love. At the same time, we’re no longer operating in love when our primary motivation is merely to seek applause and affirmation. We’re simply using others in the name of helping them to stroke our own ego.
Being intentional about who and when we’ve been called to help allows us to know when to be on and off duty in our service to others. We can give our gifts wholeheartedly and free when we’re on duty – enjoying whatever compliments come our way without desperately pursuing them. But a clear call to be on duty requires clear times in which we’re also off.
Is every special project ours to take on or every person in need ours to save? Are we “helping” out of our own insecurities or sheer boredom – just wanting someone to fill our days and sing our praises? If so, it’s likely good to spend some time off duty to reground our heart in God.
Taking time to be off duty is refusing to make our helping an idol. When we help we simply love others because God has first loved us. We’re not doing it just to boost our own ego. Of course, it feels good to help, which can be very validating. But this is the byproduct of our help and not the chief motivation.
In the end, help others and enjoy the praise that ensues. But know also when to be off duty so your helping does not become an idol. Your help should be motivated by true love and not merely your own ego and pride.
