當莉絲剛到維吉尼亞州的一家咖啡店工作時，曾經服務過一位名叫伊比的客人。由於伊比有聽力障礙，所以只能用手機打字點餐。莉絲在得知伊比是常客之後，為了要提供伊比更完善的服務，決定學習一些常用的美式手語，好讓伊比無需打字就能點餐。

莉絲的付出雖然微不足道，但她向伊比展現的愛心和服務態度，正是使徒彼得鼓勵我們彼此相待的方式。使徒彼得在書信中，勸勉當時那些流離四散的信徒務要「彼此切實相愛」，每個人都要用所領受的恩賜「彼此服事」（彼得前書4章8、10節）。無論上帝賜給你我何種技藝及才能，都是我們可以用來使他人受惠的恩賜。當我們發揮恩賜、彼此服事，我們的言行舉止便能使上帝得到榮耀。

彼得的勸勉對他的讀者來說，尤其重要，因為他們當時正遭遇患難、孤立無援。彼得鼓勵他們在苦難中要彼此服事，好讓他們能在磨難中堅持下去。雖然我們或許不知道別人遭遇何種變故，但上帝能幫助我們發揮同理心，用言語、資源及能力，親切而愉快地彼此服事。願上帝幫助我們，以服事他人來體現祂的愛。

When Krystal first started work at a Virginia coffee shop, she served a customer named Ibby. Because Ibby is hearing impaired, he placed his order using a typed note on his phone. After Krystal learned Ibby was a regular customer, she determined to serve him better by learning enough American Sign Language so he could place his order without writing it down.

In a small way, Krystal showed Ibby the kind of love and service Peter encourages us all to offer one another. In his letter to believers in Jesus who’d been scattered and exiled, the apostle indicates that they ought to “love each other deeply” and use their gifts “to serve others” (1 Peter 4:8, 10). Whatever skills and abilities He’s equipped us with are gifts we can use to benefit others. As we do, our words and actions can bring honor to God.  

Peter’s words were especially important to those he wrote to, for they were experiencing a season of pain and isolation. He encouraged them to serve one another during the time of distress to help them bear up under their trials. Though we may not know the specific pain another person experiences, God can help us to show empathy as well as graciously and cheerfully serve one another with our words, resources, and abilities. May God help us serve others as a reflection of His love.