Ever seen someone struggling and helped them out? An elderly neighbor shoveling snow? A kid trying to sell cookies for a fundraiser? If you’re a compassionate person, it’s easy to see needs all around you. 

Keep your eyes open for people’s spiritual needs too. Every time I read Luke 13:24,25, I’m reminded there are people—even people I know and love—who won’t be in heaven. Jesus said, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’” 

Please keep tending to people’s earthly needs, but tend to spiritual needs too. The news that people you love may not experience eternity with God should break your heart and spur you to action. You have the gift of eternal life; you know how incredible Jesus is. Not everyone else does. I know life is busy, I know it’s hard to talk about your faith, I know that the Holy Spirit has to do his work and it’s not all on you, but don’t let these things get in the way. Paul’s task is the same as yours: “My only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace” (Acts 20:24).